What are the EWWR’s objectives?

• to raise awareness about waste reduction, product reuse and material recycling strategies, and related European Union and Member States policies,
• to highlight the work accomplished by EWWR participants,
• to mobilise and encourage European citizens to concentrate on four key action themes,
• to reinforce EWWR stakeholders’ capacities by providing them with targeted communication tools and training,
• to assess the impact of communication actions on concrete behaviour change regarding consumption and waste management patterns.

What are the EWWR’s main features?

• Coordination of awareness-raising actions during one week of the year
• Development of target-group-specific communication tools for schools, businesses, administrations/associations and citizens
• Development and promotion of Prevention Thematic Days focusing on one specific waste prevention topic per year
• Development and testing of the concept of a European Clean-Up Day: “Let’s Clean Up Europe”

The actions implemented in the EWWR are addressing the “3Rs”: Reduce waste, Reuse products, Recycle material. The “3Rs” represent the options which should be considered first when elaborating a waste management strategy.

Following the hierarchy illustrated above, reducing waste should always be the first priority. Reduce means using fewer resources in the first place and includes strict avoidance as well as reduction at source. The second-best option is to reuse products. This includes also preparation for reuse. Third priority and the last waste management option that is included in the EWWR is materials recycling.