GreenVET pathway

Zero-waste day

A campaign promoting a waste-free day as a catalyst for lasting sustainable behavior, encouraging mindful consumption, smart resource use, and the repair and repurposing of items to reduce waste and environmental impact.

Key People and Partners Involved

Students and teachers
School leadership and staff
Parents and families

Description of the practice

Zero-Waste Lifestyle and Daily Habits is a campaign that encourages people to experience a day without waste as a starting point for long-term sustainable change. It promotes conscious decision-making in everyday life by highlighting how individual actions contribute to reducing environmental impact.

The initiative focuses on the smart use of resources"choosing reusable items, avoiding single-use products, and reducing unnecessary consumption. It raises awareness about the importance of mindful habits, such as sorting waste correctly, planning purchases, and supporting local, sustainable products.

A key aspect of the campaign is repairing and repurposing everyday items to extend their lifecycle. Through practical activities, community involvement, and educational efforts, the campaign empowers individuals and schools to adopt a zero-waste mindset and become active changemakers for a cleaner, more sustainable future

Where it’s being implemented

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For the tenth year, Latvia’s Rīcības dienas (Days of Action) campaign has engaged schools and communities in promoting zero-waste and sustainable lifestyles through practical actions—such as organizing waste-free days, repairing broken items, creating reusable shopping bags, hosting clothing swap events, and conducting cleanups and awareness workshops to inspire long-term behavioral change.
https://videsfonds.lv/jau-desmito-gadu-latvija-norisinas-ricibas-dienas
"Istanbul TOKİ Kayasehir Vocational and Technical High School organized a full school-wide “Zero Waste Day,” including: • Recycled-material creations: Students built art and functional items from bottles, cartons, and fabric. • Green-avatar video project: Students created digital avatars explaining how reducing waste supports marine ecosystem protection and the EU Green Deal."
https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/etwinning/projects/bluecoinvet-sustainable-vocational-education-blue-economy/twinspace/pages/30th-march-zero-waste-day
As part of the "Zero Waste School" project, Bulgarian schools organized an Eco Day campaign featuring student-led waste audits, recycling workshops, creative reuse activities, and awareness games—encouraging active participation in sustainable practices and promoting zero-waste culture in school communities
https://zerowasteschool.eu/eco-day-campaign-under-the-project-zero-waste-school/"lang=en

Impact and Results

Increased student awareness of waste issues
Improved waste separation and recycling habits
Active student participation in sustainability actions
Strengthened community engagement
Creative reuse of materials through workshops

Implementation Tips and Insights

Start with a waste audit to understand current habits
Involve students in planning and leading activities
Promote reusable items (bottles, containers, bags)
Organize fun activities like swaps or upcycling workshops
Share results and reflections to inspire ongoing change

Useful Links and Resources

This link might not lead to content in English language. Use your browser's translate function or automatic captions to explore this resource. This U.S. EPA guide outlines best practices for schools to reduce waste and promote sustainability through waste audits, recycling programs, composting, and educational activities, encouraging a whole-school approach to environmental responsibility.
https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/600009UZ.PDF?Dockey=600009UZ.pdf
Ekoskolu Rīcības dienas is an annual campaign that empowers students and schools across Latvia to take action for the environment by promoting sustainable lifestyles, with a focus on waste reduction, climate responsibility, and community involvement through creative, hands-on initiatives
https://ekoskolas.lv/lv/kampanas/ekoskolu-ricibas-dienas