Waste in Progress Congress was held in Girona from 16 to 18 April and was the first fully dedicated to waste prevention. As one of the sponsors of the event, ACR+ intervened on the first day to explain the goals for reducing resource consumption in European cities and how to accelerate the transition towards a more efficient and circular society. Celebrating ACR+'s 30th anniversary, we proudly presented our vision for circular cities and regions, accompanied by a strategy towards 2030. Taking advantage of the occasion, and thanks to the hospitality of the Catalan Waste Agency (ARC), we organised a special birthday dinner to kick off this year of celebration with the members who were present at the congress.
Around 1 400 one-day visits highlighted how prevention is starting to become a priority for local administrations. Drawing from the experience of numerous speakers, including ACR+ members ARC, Paris, Brussels, Greater Pamplona and Connacht Ulster Waste Region, the event brought together municipal waste prevention initiatives and policies to effectively advance towards total decarbonisation. New challenges in packaging management, reuse and preparation for reuse, and plans and strategies to prevent waste and combat food waste have been the focal points of the three days. The strategy of Paris to eliminate single-use plastics in the city during this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games, eco-friendly childcare centers in Brussels, and various initiatives taking place in London and the French town of Courbevoie to prevent excessive food waste have been some of the cases presented during the conference.