Tallinn becomes first European capital to seek zero waste certification
Estonian city joins Mission Zero Academy programme with ambitious waste reduction and recycling targets, with plans to open a second circular economy centre for residents.
The certification will provide Tallinn with a structured framework to transform its waste management approach, helping the city to refine its strategy, engage residents and accelerate the transition to local reuse, repair, and recycling systems.
The city has outlined its targets:
- Increasing municipal waste separation collection to 66 per cent by 2026 and 70 per cent by 2030
- Raising the recycling rate to at least 65 per cent by 2035
- Reducing landfill disposal to below 5 per cent by 2026
- Phasing out incineration of unsorted waste
- Setting a municipal waste reduction goal by March 2026
- Investing in education and public awareness to boost citizen participation
Commenting on Tallinn’s application, Kaisa Karjalainen, Director of the Mission Zero Academy, said: “At MiZA, we're particularly inspired by Tallinn's leadership as a capital city, which sends a resounding message across Europe that zero waste transitions are both feasible and necessary at significant urban scales.”
Mayor of Tallinn, Jevgeni Ossinovski, added: “Cities can spearhead change where national governments are too slow to act. We want natural resources and our living environment to be treated with the same respect as we treat our fellow citizens. The City of Tallinn aims to be as smart and innovative as its people: to invest, not waste; to protect, not pollute. That is what becoming a Zero Waste City means.”
Tallinn’s existing sustainability initiatives
Tallinn has already implemented several sustainability measures that form a foundation for its zero waste goals, outlined in its Waste Management Plan 2022-2026. In 2023, the city generated 362 kg of municipal waste per capita, significantly below the EU average of 511 kg.
Its first circularity centre opened in October 2024, with a second facility scheduled to open by the end of 2025. The city also plans to convert all its waste stations into similar circularity hubs.
These centres will provide residents with opportunities to dispose of different types of waste, repair and reuse items in an accessible space. Tallinn’s Lasnamäe circular economy centre, currently under construction, will be built with reclaimed wood, recycled materials, and have a small solar power plant installed on the roof. The site will also include classrooms for training sessions, practical workshops, and conferences.
The Estonian capital was also the first European city to implement the EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive, prioritising reusable containers at public events.
Jack McQuibban, Head of Local Zero Waste Implementation at Zero Waste Europe, which powers MiZA, commented on the significance of Tallinn's application: "It's extremely exciting to mark the first Estonian Zero Waste Candidate City and the first capital city with MiZA's Certification. Despite wider contextual challenges in today's world, this shows that there are still many pioneering cities, like Tallinn, who recognise the need for change and are willing to work with their community to make it happen."
However, the city acknowledges that there is still work to be done. Liina Kanarbik, Leading Specialist from the Circular Economy Department in Tallinn’s Strategic Management Office, added: “Despite having lots to be proud of, we are also a city that is still failing to meet the EU recycling targets like so many others. I hope joining MiZA's Zero Waste Certification gives us the push to achieve these goals."
Zero Waste City certification
The Zero Waste Cities Certification is an independent, third-party assessed certification standard, with more than 400 municipalities currently involved in the programme.
The certification process consists of five key steps: expression of interest, commitment, implementation, certification, and yearly improvements. Municipalities first submit an expression of interest, then acquire Zero Waste Candidate City status by creating a certification roadmap. They then have two years to implement required changes and submit evidence for assessment.
After successful third-party assessment focusing on performance level and impact, the candidate becomes a Zero Waste Certified City. Following certification, municipalities must implement yearly improvements, with audits every three years to confirm certification status. Cities can progress through a five-star rating system based on their achievements.
