This manual is the result of the BEZWA (Building a European Zero Waste Academy) project, which was funded by the Erasmus+ program and aimed to create a strong educational framework to support the movement Zero Waste cities in Europe. Manual was created in collaboration with five organizations that brought the necessary experience and expertise in the field of Zero Waste.

Purpose and target group:

The main objective of this manual is to supporting the implementation of the curriculum for Zero Waste ambassadors and trainers with the overall aim of strengthening and spreading Zero Waste competences among active citizens across Europe and helping them support and lead their communities towards long-term systemic change. Although the Ambassador courses are considered basic level and the Trainer courses are more advanced, the manual is not only intended for Zero Waste ambassadors and trainers, but also for anyone who wishes to improve their teaching skills, especially in complex problems such as environmental issues.

Manual structure:

The manual is divided into two main parts: Zero Waste Ambassador Curriculum Resources and Zero Waste Trainer Curriculum ResourcesThe introductory part contains two chapters devoted to general principle, which are important for both curricula. These chapters focus on connecting values, well-being and Zero Waste and on metacognition – the ability to analyze and plan one's own learning process.

• Chapters for Zero Waste Trainers are listed first so that educators can better understand the main principles in creating training courses or workshops and how to shape learning activities. They provide an answer to the question "How?".
• Chapters for Zero Waste Ambassadors provide a deeper insight into the (zero) waste topics themselves. They provide an answer to the question "What?".

The manual does not include all topics from both curricula, but focuses on the most important ones, which can serve as a basis or supplementary reading for the course content.

Key topics for Zero Waste trainers:

• Basic principles of teaching: How the brain works when learning.
• Motivation to learn: How to gain support for environmental issues. The importance of quality motivation by supporting three basic psychological needs: connectivity, competence and autonomy.
• Misconceptions: How to help people deconstruct their misconceptions about waste. Identifying different types of misconceptions and strategies for correcting them, including asking questions, presenting data, and using new models.
• Why are questions important?.
• Learning assessment: How to determine whether learning has occurred. The importance of self-assessment and various methods of verifying knowledge.
• How to manage teaching time: Solving the problem of lack of time.
• Training video guide for Zero Waste trainers: A practical example of addressing misconceptions.
• Checklist for coaches:.
• Teaching mini-sessions: Practical exercises to practice competencies.

Key topics for Zero Waste Ambassadors:

• Zero Waste Basics: Definition, meaning and objectives.
• Zero Waste City Model: Characteristics and principles.
• Waste data basics: Data types, sources, accuracy and presentation. Importance of waste audits.
• Waste collection: Various collection systems and their design.
• Waste treatment methods: Overview of different methods (recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, mechanical biological treatment (MBT), energy recovery (incineration), pyrolysis, landfilling) with their advantages and disadvantages. Comparison of the EU waste hierarchy and the Zero Waste hierarchy.
• Waste policy and advocacy: Relevant policies at different levels (local, national, European), key EU directives (e.g. Waste Framework Directive, Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, Landfill Directive, Single-Use Plastics Directive), importance of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), advocacy strategies.
• Communication and storytelling: Effective communication strategies, tailoring the message to the target group, using stories to influence opinions.
• Training video guide for Zero Waste Ambassadors: A practical example of communicating with stakeholders.
• Zero Waste City Role Playing Game: An interactive tool for practicing knowledge and skills.

Key concepts highlighted in the manual:

• Metacognition: The importance of being aware of one's own learning process, planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Principles of effective learning: Learning requires effort and overcoming uncertainty, the importance of mistakes and reflection, active linking of new information with existing knowledge, the importance of spaced repetition and self-verification.
• Different types of misconceptions about waste and strategies for effectively overcoming it through dialogue and questioning.
• Supporting quality motivation learners by supporting their needs for connectedness, competence and autonomy.
• The importance of waste data for understanding the situation and making informed decisions.
• Prioritizing prevention and reuse in the Zero Waste hierarchy.
• Effective communication and advocacy strategies to promote Zero Waste policies and measures.

Practical tools and exercises:

The manual contains various practical tools and exercises, such as self-assessment questionnaires, tests, role-play scenarios and instructions for using training videos. These tools are intended to help training participants better understand Zero Waste concepts and practice the necessary skills.

Frequently asked questions:

The final sections of the manual include answers to frequently asked questions about Zero Waste, the differences between Zero Waste and the circular economy, and why we shouldn't just focus on recycling.

This manual presents a comprehensive source of information and practical tools for all who want to actively participate in spreading the idea of Zero Waste. It emphasizes the importance of not only professional knowledge, but also pedagogical and communication skills for effective education and promoting change towards a zero-waste society. The manual is the result of international cooperation and reflects the latest findings in the field of waste management and educational psychology. Spring

Glossary of key terms

• Zero Waste: The goal is to eliminate all waste and maximize resource conservation through responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products and materials without incineration or pollution.
• Eudaimonia: Inner satisfaction and happiness resulting from doing the right things, personal growth, and contributing to the well-being of others.
• Hedonia: Happiness and pleasure derived from external sources, focused on positive emotions and avoiding negative ones.
• Metacognition: The ability to be aware of, monitor, and manage one's own cognitive processes, such as learning and thinking.
• Waste management hierarchy: An arrangement of preferred waste management strategies, from waste prevention to waste disposal, with prevention and reuse at the top of the hierarchy.
• Municipal Solid Waste (MSW): Waste from households and waste from other sources (e.g. trade, administration, services) that is similar in nature and composition to household waste.
• Mixed municipal waste audit (Residual Waste Audit): Analysis of non-recycled waste to determine its composition and quantity.
• Recycling: Any recovery process by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials or substances for the original or other purpose.
• Reuse: Any activity by which products or components that are not waste are reused for the same purpose for which they were originally intended.
• Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUP): European Union legislation aimed at reducing the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, particularly the marine environment.
• Circular Economy: An economic system that aims to keep resources in circulation for as long as possible, minimize waste, and maximize the value of products and materials.
• PAYT (Pay-As-You-Throw): A waste charging system based on the amount of waste produced, with the aim of motivating people to reduce its production.
• DRS (Deposit Return Scheme): A system in which a small deposit is paid when purchasing a product, which is refunded to the consumer upon return of the empty packaging.
• EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility): An approach to waste management that transfers responsibility for the entire life cycle of a product (including its disposal) to the producer.