- Becoming the first climate neutral continent: This is the goal Europe has set itself and wants to achieve by 2050 with the help of the European Green Deal. Notably in consumer protection, the ambition is reflected in concrete initiatives.
- But there are also numerous national and local actions for more environmental protection and sustainability. Some of them go beyond EU legislation or pursue particularly innovative approaches.
- For World Consumer Rights Day on 15th of March, European Consumer Centre in Poland puts the spotlight on these sustainable best practices from all over the continent – ranging from the Danish “To good to go” app to free public transport in Luxembourg.
Austria
The country is fighting tons of electronic waste with repair vouchers. These vouchers cover half of the repair costs for consumers up to a maximum of 200 €, encouraging citizens to invest money into repairs instead of throwing away broken electronic devices and buying new ones. The programme has been a great success in the capital Vienna since 2020 and was expanded to the whole country in 2022
Belgium
In Belgium you can find second hand shops called “De Kringwinkel” or “Les Petits Riens” with locations all over the country. Anyone can drop off furniture, kitchen utensils and similar items they no longer need. Or acquire them at a bargain price.
Bulgaria
A multinational clothing company operating in Bulgaria encourages consumers to bring their outworn clothes at their stores. Clothes are accepted on site and the trader takes care to get these clothes reused or recycled. When handing in their old clothes at the shop, customers receive a voucher they can redeem at their next purchase
Croatia
The Croatian online platform “Burza otpada” (waste exchange) brings together companies. It promotes the exchange of information on the supply and demand of secondary raw materials arising from a production processes or resulting from waste management processes. The project, which was launched in 2017, has indirect impact on the consumers since its aim is to reduce waste disposal and sustainable approach to primary resources management and through that it improves the living environment for all.
Cyprus
Cyprus promotes incentive sponsorship for the purchase of a new bicycle and a subsidy for the repair and maintenance of a bicycle. The country also prohibits the free disposal of thin plastic carrying bags at points of sale.
Czechia
In recent years, in Czechia, there are increasingly more food stores where consumers can buy e.g. rice, pasta, coffee or tea and can ask for the goods to be boxed in containers they have brought with them, so that there is no waste from single-use plastic packaging.
Denmark
“To Good To Go” is a mobile app developed in Denmark in 2015 to fight food waste. Restaurants or shops post unsold leftover food or meals they would otherwise throw away. Customers can check the app to see what’s available in their area and pick up the food at mostly very reasonable prices. A win-win situation for consumers, restaurants and the environment at the same time.
France
When it comes to defective products, France encourages consumers to choose repair over replacement with a new product. For example, by suspending the legal guarantee of conformity while a product is being repaired. Or by granting a six-month extension of guarantee if a consumer asks a trader to repair the product. France even has a 2-year guarantee renewal if the trader decides to exchange an appliance instead of repairing it as requested
Germany
With an amendment to the German law on circular economy, the country wants to put a stop to overproduction, the destruction of new goods and unnecessary returns. Up to now, especially electronic goods and clothing often end up in the trash bin, although they are functioning and like new. Manufacturers and retailers will be held more accountable in the future. They will have to clearly document how they deal with unsold goods, e.g. if they donate them or resell them at a lower price.
Italy
The Italian platform NeXt-Nuova Economia per tutti provides an overview of sustainable best practices across the country. Whether these are carried out by companies, schools, municipalities or start-ups. With the tool “Vote for your Wallet”, they encourage consumers to take responsibility and make informed conscious purchase choices.
Latvia
Several Latvian fuel stations encourage consumers to bring their own reusable coffee cups. One of the largest retail chains with hundreds of retailing places also follows this practice. Customers who bring their cup get a 10 to 15 per cent discount on their coffee. This is to reduce the amount of waste cups in the country.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg is the first country in the world to offer free public transport. Since 2020, both residents and tourists can simply hop on the train, tram or bus without having to buy a ticket. The aim is to raise awareness for environmentally friendly mobility.
Malta
The so-called Beverage Container Refund Scheme incentivises the return of single-use beverage containers by applying a refundable deposit of €0.10c on the sales of beverages such as water, soft drinks, ciders, beers, ready to drink coffee and dilutables in the form of glass, PET or metal bottles and cans. The refund scheme shall be implemented in Malta as from the 1st of April 2022. In addition, a network of Reverse Vending Machines shall be available to consumers all over Malta and Gozo for returns of beverage containers.
Netherlands
Rotterdam-based “Pieter Pot” is the first package free, circular online supermarket of the Netherlands. Consumers buy their products in bulk and will get them delivered in deposit glass jars. Used jars can be returned to the delivery driver, so they can be washed and filled again. Forbes reports that package free supermarkets could save up to 20 kg of plastic per person per year.
Norway
In Norway, there is a deposit scheme for recyclable bottles and cans, that all Norwegians are familiar to. Recycling machines are stationed in the entrance of all supermarkets in Norway, and you get a refund of the deposit you paid when purchasing the bottle or can. Last year more than 92 % of all bottles and cans in Norway were recycled.
Poland
An architectural studio from Wrocław has created a project for a mobile hotel made of an isothermal refrigerated truck. They use trailer trucks we usually see on the road and that have so far been used to transport food, so they have the right properties to maintain a certain temperature inside. The project involves upcycling, i.e. increasing the value of the material and repurposing cooling trucks into hotel rooms.
Portugal
The Portuguese government has launched a programme to fight energy poverty. It subsidises work on houses to make them more energy efficient. For example, building insulation, sustainable heating or improvements to windows and doors.
Slovenia
In Slovenia, the Reuse Centre, a non-profit organisation, carries out sustainable consumption activities true to the moto: reduce, repair, reuse. For example, they give consumers the possibility to participate in the repair of a product and teach them proper maintenance. They also manufacture new products from existing ones (upcycling).
Sweden
Sweden has reduced its VAT rate of 25% to 12% when it comes to repair services for bicycles, shoes, leather goods, clothing and household linen. Craftsmen are allowed to offer repairs on large electric appliances at prices up to 50% less expensive than the actual cost – the difference is paid by the state.
Skip to content
