Zero Waste Montenegro
Zero Waste Montenegro (ZWMNE) is a Podgorica-based non-governmental organization founded in 2016 that delivers zero waste consulting, the European Zero Waste Business Certification (MiZA), and the Zero Waste Cities Program to Montenegrin municipalities, businesses (especially hospitality), citizens, and schools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersPodgorica, Montenegro
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Zero Waste Montenegro does
Zero Waste Montenegro (ZWMNE) is a Montenegrin non-governmental organization founded in 2016 and registered under number 8388 with the Ministry of Justice. Headquartered in Podgorica and operating exclusively within Montenegro with a team of six employees plus volunteers and freelancers, the organization addresses the country's acute waste mismanagement — characterized by approximately 1.8% municipal recycling rates and roughly 400 unregulated landfills — through consulting, certification, advocacy, and community-based programs. It serves four primary stakeholder segments: Montenegrin municipalities and public institutions (via the European Zero Waste Cities Programme), businesses — particularly in hospitality (via waste reduction consulting and the MiZA certification administered under Mission Zero Academy), citizens and households (via the Cleanup Montenegro volunteer network and educational resources), and educators and schools (via age-segmented curricula in Montenegrin).
The organization's offerings are services rather than software: Zero Waste Business Consulting, the European Zero Waste Business Certification (MiZA, anchored to the Zero Waste Europe methodology), the Zero Waste Cities Program, the Community Action & Learning Programme (which includes the Cleanup Montenegro network and Urban Garden Podgorica), K-12 educational resources spanning preschool through high school, reusable cotton bags manufactured by a women-led social enterprise, and distribution support for the Znuggle wool-toy social enterprise. The underlying technology is methodological rather than proprietary — Zero Waste Europe frameworks adapted and operationalized locally — with no software platform, API, or AI system disclosed. Engagement spans citizen science (brand audits), door-to-door 5-stream waste collection pilots (Gusinje), compost distribution, festivals, and educational workshops.
The business model blends non-commercial and commercial revenue streams. Project grants from EU programmes (IPA Montenegro-Albania Cross Border Cooperation, Interreg Danube Region Programme) and government ministries (notably the Ministry of Tourism, Ecology, Sustainable Development) provide multi-year funding. Professional services revenue comes from consulting engagements and MiZA certification fees priced at "affordable" levels, with profits reinvested. Recurring and one-time individual donations (starting at €1/month) provide a small but steady base. Product revenue from reusable bags (minimum 50-unit wholesale orders) and Znuggle toys is retailed through partner stores Nomad Life Home (Podgorica) and Penso (Budva). The go-to-market is hybrid and grassroots-led: community mobilization, event participation (e.g., International Zero Waste Cities Conference in Tanzania), and earned media in Montenegrin press drive awareness and pipeline, with website contact forms and direct outreach converting municipalities and businesses into consulting and certification engagements.
Zero Waste Montenegro firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zero Waste Montenegro
- Legal name
- Zero Waste Montenegro
- Website
- https://zerowastemontenegro.me
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Zero Waste Montenegro (ZWMNE) is a Podgorica-based non-governmental organization founded in 2016 that delivers zero waste consulting, the European Zero Waste Business Certification (MiZA), and the Zero Waste Cities Program to Montenegrin municipalities, businesses (especially hospitality), citizens, and schools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zero Waste Montenegro industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental and Waste Management Consulting Services
- NAICS
- Remediation and Other Waste Management Services (5629)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL)
Keywords
Where Zero Waste Montenegro is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Podgorica
- HQ country
- Montenegro
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Zero Waste Montenegro business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Consulting Services for Businesses: Waste reduction consulting for businesses and institutions, helping companies implement Zero Waste practices, conduct waste audits, and train staff.
- Zero Waste Business Certification (MiZA): European Zero Waste Business Certification program administered in Montenegro in partnership with Mission Zero Academy (MiZA). Consultancies are offered at affordable prices with profits reinvested into the organization.
- Product Sales: Sale of Zero Waste reusable cotton bags (sewn locally, wholesale available in batches of 50+), and Znuggle handcrafted wool toys sourced from a social enterprise. Products sold through own storefronts (Nomad Life Home in Podgorica, Penso in Budva) and wholesale.
- Donations: Individual donations accepted monthly (starting from 1 EUR/month) or one-time. Monthly donations can be cancelled at any time via email. 100% of donations go to funding projects and activities, supervised by external accountancy.
- Project Grants: Project-based funding from national and international organizations, EU funding programs (IPA Montenegro-Albania Cross Border Cooperation, Interreg Danube Region Programme), government ministries, and development agencies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Affordable consulting for businesses and institutions |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Zero Waste Montenegro product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zero Waste Montenegro is a non-governmental organization that delivers zero waste and circular economy consulting, training, and certification services to businesses, municipalities, and public institutions in Montenegro. It administers the European Zero Waste Business Certification (MiZA) locally, coordinates the Zero Waste Cities Programme nationally, runs community engagement through the Cleanup Montenegro volunteer network and urban gardens, and produces educational curricula for schools. It also retails reusable cotton bags and Znuggle handcrafted wool toys to fund its mission.
Product overview
Zero Waste Montenegro is a non-governmental organization (NGO), not a software product company. Its offerings consist of advocacy programs, consulting services, and educational resources rather than a unified software product. The core services include: Zero Waste Business Consulting for companies seeking waste reduction; the Mission Zero Waste Academy (MiZA) Certification for businesses and municipalities; the Zero Waste Cities Program for municipalities; the Community Action & Learning Programme featuring urban gardens and cleanup networks; and educational resources for various age groups. Additional offerings include reusable shopping bags and support for the Znuggle social enterprise producing handcrafted wool toys. There is no software platform, API, or technical product.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cleanup Montenegro: A national volunteer network coordinated by Zero Waste Montenegro that brings together individuals, schools, NGOs, and informal groups through cleanup actions and citizen science activities to care for public spaces.
- Urban Garden Podgorica
- Znuggle
Products and services
- Zero Waste Business Consulting Waste reduction consulting service helping Montenegrin companies reduce solid waste, lower operational costs, and implement zero waste practices through staff training, waste stream analysis, and waste audits.
- Mission Zero Waste Academy (MiZA) Business Certification
Quantifiable outcome
- Businesses and municipalities following Zero Waste methodology can achieve up to 80%+ waste diversion from landfill
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Zero Waste Montenegro
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Zero Waste Montenegro technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Zero Waste Montenegro partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Regional Development Agency of Bjelasica, Komovi and ProkletijeflagshipLead partner in the IPA Montenegro-Albania Cross Border Cooperation project to transform Gusinje into Montenegro's first Zero Waste City. ZWMNE serves as the National Zero Waste Cities Coordinator, providing technical expertise and methodology guidance while the Regional Development Agency coordinates implementation with the Municipality of Gusinje and the local Waste Management Utility Company.
- Zero Waste EuropecoreZero Waste Montenegro is an official member organisation of Zero Waste Europe, the European network of zero waste NGOs. This membership provides access to established methodologies, best practices from 30+ European countries, and the Zero Waste Cities Programme framework. Zero Waste Europe is the awarding body for the European Zero Waste Business Certification (MiZA) that ZWMNE administers in Montenegro.
- Break Free From PlasticcoreZero Waste Montenegro is a core member of Break Free From Plastic, a global movement uniting organizations worldwide to reduce plastic pollution. Membership connects ZWMNE to international advocacy campaigns, research, and coalition actions on single-use plastics.
- Coalition 27coreZero Waste Montenegro is a national member of Coalition 27, a coalition of civil society organizations in Montenegro working on environmental and transparency issues.
- Mission Zero Academy (MiZA)flagshipPartnership with Mission Zero Academy (MiZA), the European body administering the Zero Waste Business Certification program. ZWMNE serves as the certified auditor and mentor for businesses seeking MiZA certification in Montenegro. Certification is based on established Zero Waste Methodology by Zero Waste Europe.
- Municipality of GusinjeflagshipZWMNE is helping the Municipality of Gusinje become the first zero waste municipality in Montenegro through the Zero Waste Cities Programme. Activities include waste analysis, citizen education workshops, distribution of composters, and implementation of a 5-bin door-to-door collection system.
- The Chedi Lustica BaycoreThe Chedi Lustica Bay, a 5-star hotel, partnered with ZWMNE and MiZA to pursue the European Zero Waste Business Certification — the first 5-star hotel in Montenegro to do so. ZWMNE provides consulting and training services as part of the certification process.
- ZnugglecoreZWMNE supports and distributes products from Znuggle, a social enterprise creating handcrafted wool toys from locally sourced sheep's wool. Women in northern Montenegro harvest, wash, spin, dye and crochet the wool by hand to produce chemical-free soft toys. ZWMNE sells Znuggle products at partner retail locations and promotes the brand.
- Nomad Life HomeminorRetail partner in Podgorica where Zero Waste Montenegro's reusable bags and Znuggle toys are sold to end consumers.
- Penso (Budva)minorRetail partner in Budva where Zero Waste Montenegro's reusable bags and Znuggle toys are sold to end consumers.
- Cleanup Montenegro NetworkcoreCleanup Montenegro is a national volunteer network coordinated by Zero Waste Montenegro. Through cleanup actions and citizen science activities (brand audits), the network brings together individuals, schools, NGOs, and informal groups to care for public spaces and understand pollution challenges. Active during the annual International Coastal Cleanup in September.
- JuventasminorPartnership with NGO Juventus for a pioneering research project analyzing the link between social justice, environmental sustainability, and the circular economy through the functioning of a second-hand market in Montenegro.
- Nomad Life HomeminorZero Waste Montenegro office address is at the Nomad Life Home co-working/retail space in Podgorica, where ZWMNE's reusable bags and Znuggle products are also retailed.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Zero Waste Montenegro competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Zero Waste Montenegro social profiles
Digital presenceZero Waste Montenegro financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zero Waste Montenegro leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Zero Waste Montenegro funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zero Waste Montenegro M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zero Waste Montenegro
What does Zero Waste Montenegro do?
Zero Waste Montenegro is a non-governmental organization that delivers zero waste and circular economy consulting, training, and certification services to businesses, municipalities, and public institutions in Montenegro. It administers the European Zero Waste Business Certification (MiZA) locally, coordinates the Zero Waste Cities Programme nationally, runs community engagement through the Cleanup Montenegro volunteer network and urban gardens, and produces educational curricula for schools. It also retails reusable cotton bags and Znuggle handcrafted wool toys to fund its mission.
Is Zero Waste Montenegro a public or private company?
Zero Waste Montenegro is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Zero Waste Montenegro founded?
Zero Waste Montenegro was founded in 2016.
Where is Zero Waste Montenegro based?
Zero Waste Montenegro is headquartered in Podgorica, Montenegro, in the Europe region.
How does Zero Waste Montenegro make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Consulting Services for Businesses are the primary driver. The others are zero Waste Business Certification (MiZA), product Sales, donations and project Grants.
Does Zero Waste Montenegro have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zero Waste Montenegro.
What industry is Zero Waste Montenegro in?
Zero Waste Montenegro's product category is Environmental and Waste Management Consulting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAHAJAL, Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging). Its NAICS code is 5629.