Zero Waste Estonia SA

What Zero Waste Estonia SA does

Zero Waste Estonia SA (ZWEE) is an Estonian non-profit foundation (Sihtasutus) headquartered in Tallinn at Ülemiste City, operating across Europe as an educational and advocacy organization focused on zero waste systems and circular economy implementation. Founded in 2008 as Teeme Ära SA (Let's Do It Foundation) — originator of the global World Cleanup Day movement — the organization rebranded to Zero Waste Estonia in October 2024 to reflect a strategic pivot from volunteer cleanup campaigns to systemic waste prevention, certification, and training. ZWEE develops proprietary curricula and certification frameworks, including the Zero Waste Ambassador Curriculum, Zero Waste Trainer Curriculum, and Zero Waste Training Handbook (available in five languages), and co-develops Zero Waste City and Business certification frameworks with Mission Zero Academy.

The organization's core offerings are training programs, certification support, and advisory services for municipalities, businesses, and sustainability professionals across Europe. It generates revenue through European Commission grants (primarily Erasmus+ and Interreg), fee-based professional training courses (e.g., the From Expert to Trainer course priced at €720-990 + VAT per participant), conferences, and certification advisory services. As of late 2024, ZWEE had certified 31 Zero Waste Trainers across 12 European countries and conducted 10 Ambassador trainings in Estonia, Poland, and Germany. The organization is led by CEO Marianne Lõhmus and operates with a 21-person team, delivering projects including BEZWA2 (€400,000 Erasmus+ grant, 2025-2027), STICT-EU (textile waste prevention, 2024-2026), CARE (Horizon Europe household engagement), and SusTool (Interreg Baltic Sea Region sustainability reporting).

Name

Zero Waste Estonia SA

Legal name

Sihtasutus Zero Waste Estonia

Website

https://zwee.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zero Waste Estonia SA (ZWEE) is an Estonian non-profit foundation that develops zero waste curricula, certifies trainers and cities, and advises municipalities and businesses on circular economy implementation across Europe, primarily funded through EU grants and professional training fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education and Advisory Services

NAICS

All Other Waste Management Services (56299)

akta.pro primary industry

Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Waste Management & Hazardous Waste Compliance (RCRA, Universal Waste, Waste Characterization/Manifests) (EUAHABAC)

Keywords

• Zero waste training
• Sustainability education
• Circular economy consulting
• Environmental certification support
• Waste management advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Tallinn

HQ country

Estonia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. EU Grant Funding (Erasmus+): Primary funding comes from European Commission Erasmus+ program. BEZWA2 project received €400,000 EU grant (Project Reference: 2025-1-EE01-KA220-ADU-000362148, September 2025 – October 2027). STICT-EU project is also co-funded by EU Interreg and other programs.
2. Training Course Fees: Professional training programs such as 'From Expert to Trainer' offered for €990 + VAT per person (regular), €870 + VAT (NGOs/MiZA mentors), €720 + VAT (groups of 3+). These are fee-for-service educational offerings.
3. Event and Conference Participation: Revenue generated from conference participation, workshops, and seminars for municipalities and businesses in Estonia and across Europe.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Zero Waste Estonia (ZWEE) is an Estonian non-profit foundation that delivers zero waste and circular economy education, training, and certification advisory services. Its core offerings include the Zero Waste Ambassador Curriculum, the Zero Waste Trainer Certification program, the Zero Waste Training Handbook, advisory support for Zero Waste City and Business certification through Mission Zero Academy, EU-funded capacity-building projects (BEZWA2, STICT-EU), and annual conferences and reuse system pilots.

Product overview

Zero Waste Estonia (ZWEE) is a non-profit organization (Sihtasutus) that operates as a platform of educational programs, training services, and certification support rather than a traditional technology product. The core offerings include the Zero Waste Ambassador Curriculum for community changemakers, the Zero Waste Trainer Certification program for sustainability professionals, and the Zero Waste Training Handbook. ZWEE provides advisory support for municipalities and businesses seeking Zero Waste City and Business certification through Mission Zero Academy. Additional programs include the BEZWA2 European education project, the annual Estonian Zero Waste Conference, the ZWEE Podcast for outreach, and reuse system pilots for events. The organization rebranded in October 2024 from Teeme Ära SA to better reflect its focus on systemic zero waste solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zero Waste Ambassador Curriculum Training curriculum supporting local changemakers, community leaders, business owners, and municipality officials in understanding zero waste systems and transitioning toward them; delivered in 10 sessions across Estonia, Poland, and Germany between 2021 and 2026.
• Zero Waste Trainer Certification Certification program for sustainability professionals based on educational psychology principles, focusing on effective teaching of zero waste concepts; has certified 31 trainers across 12 European countries by late 2024.
• From Expert to Trainer Course Hybrid training course for sustainability professionals covering adult learning science, educational psychology, and practical training skills; delivered with online sessions followed by in-person workshops in Brussels.
• Zero Waste Training Handbook Comprehensive handbook covering zero waste content and teaching content for trainers; updated under BEZWA2 and available in English, French, Estonian, Slovenian, and Ukrainian.
• Zero Waste City Certification Support Advisory services helping municipalities pursue Zero Waste City certification through Mission Zero Academy, including mentor and auditor training and certification guidance.
• Zero Waste Business Certification Support Advisory services supporting businesses pursuing Zero Waste Business certification through Mission Zero Academy, including mentorship and audit support.
• Estonian Zero Waste Conference Annual international conference bringing together the zero waste community from Estonia and beyond, featuring municipalities, businesses, and academia through workshops, panel discussions, and Living Library sessions.
• ZWEE Podcast Podcast series featuring conversations with experts on waste management, packaging recycling, circular economy, and zero waste practices; distributed on Spotify.
• Reuse System Pilots Pilot projects implementing reuse systems at events, including reusable cup deposit systems, drinking water points, and reusable catering equipment; a 3-day CONAMA Local congress pilot achieved 3,900 single-use items avoided, 57.7 kg waste reduced, and 327 kg CO2 reduced.
• CARE Project Household Support Horizon Europe funded project supporting households in 5 European countries to reduce environmental impact through food and clothing habits; initially working with 100 households over 4 years.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero Waste Ambassador Curriculum developed and delivered in 10 trainings across Estonia, Poland, and Germany (2021-2026)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mission Zero Academy (MiZA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025MiZA is the capacity-building hub for local decision-makers, SMEs, and organizations pursuing zero waste strategies and circular economy implementation. MiZA provides certification for Zero Waste Cities and Business programs and is the key certification partner for ZWEE-trained mentors and auditors. Together with ZWEE and Ekologi Brez Meja, MiZA co-developed the BEZWA2 project under Erasmus+. Kadri Kalle from ZWEE consults MiZA on course development.
• Ekologi Brez Meja (EBM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025One of Slovenia's leading NGOs dedicated to improving the state of the environment — focusing on efficient resource use and active citizenship. EBM is a BEZWA2 project partner alongside ZWEE and MiZA, contributing to the update of zero waste curricula and the Zero Waste Training Handbook.
• Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine (ZWAU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025An association of Ukrainian organizations and activists working to solve the waste problem in Ukraine. ZWAU's main goal is to influence the reform of the waste and resource management system in Ukraine. ZWAU is the project coordinator for BEZWA2.
• Health Care Without Harm EuropeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-organizer of the 'From Expert to Trainer' program alongside ZWEE and Mission Zero Academy, bringing healthcare sustainability expertise to the training of environmental educators.
• Zero Waste BelgiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Partner in the STICT-EU project (December 2024 – November 2026) focused on textile waste prevention and circular economy implementation across European municipalities.
• TEXroadminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Partner in the STICT-EU project focused on textile waste prevention and circular economy implementation across European municipalities.
• Zero Waste Europe (ZWE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean zero waste network that ZWEE supports in advising cities and organizations across Europe on proven zero waste solutions. ZWEE participates in ZWE's annual network meetings and contributes to policy positions including responses to the Clean Industrial Deal and Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks.
• Ülemiste CityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2024, ZWEE has been headquartered at Ülemiste City — a carbon-neutral, talent-driven smart city district in Tallinn. ZWEE participates in the SusTool (Sustainability Reporting Tool) project co-financed by Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme (2021-2027), collaborating with Estonian ministries and tech partners on data-driven sustainability reporting for public services.
• Rezero (Catalonia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatalan zero waste organization that developed the reuse system pilot (ERIC project) for the CONAMA Local congress in Viladecans, Catalonia, achieving 3,900 single-use items prevented and 327 kg CO₂ avoided over 3 days.
• Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications (Estonia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner of the SusTool project (Interreg Baltic Sea Region 2021-2027) in which ZWEE participates alongside Estonian ministries, VARAM, LIKTA (Latvia), DIMECC LTD and INFOBALT (Lithuania), and Finnish partners.
• Ministry of Finance Estonia / ITLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners in the SusTool sustainability reporting tool project under Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme.
• Mission Zero AcademycoreOthersZWEE collaborates with Mission Zero Academy and Zero Waste Europe to provide local and international expertise for creating zero waste plans, supporting municipalities and organizations in their certification journey.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Zero Waste France: French national member of Zero Waste Europe network promoting zero waste policies, training programs, and municipal/business certification support. Operates in the same Zero Waste Europe ecosystem as ZWEE and offers directly comparable training, advisory, and advocacy services in a different national market.
• WasteAid: UK-based charity working with communities in low- and middle-income countries to improve waste management and recycling, focusing on education, training, and capacity building. Closely comparable in NGO structure, educational focus, and international donor funding model.
• Mission Zero Academy (MiZA): Capacity-building hub co-developing Zero Waste City and Business certification programs with ZWEE; operates the expert directory marketplace where ZWEE-certified trainers are listed. Direct partner on the BEZWA2 project alongside ZWEE and Ekologi Brez Meja.
• Ekologi Brez Meja (EBM): One of Slovenia's leading environmental NGOs dedicated to efficient resource use and active citizenship; BEZWA2 project partner contributing to Zero Waste curricula and Training Handbook updates. Closely comparable in scope, scale, and mission to ZWEE.
• Rezero (Catalonia): Catalan zero waste organization that developed the reuse system pilot (CONAMA congress) with ZWEE involvement, achieving measurable single-use item and CO2 reduction outcomes. Comparable regional zero waste NGO focused on reuse systems and circular economy.
• Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine (ZWAU): Association of Ukrainian organizations working to solve the waste problem and reform national waste/resource management systems. Coordinator of the BEZWA2 project and direct operational peer in zero waste training and advocacy.

Emerging players

• Reloop Platform: International NGO advancing circular economy policy on beverage containers, packaging, and electronics; operates in the same EU policy advocacy space as ZWEE and Zero Waste Europe, focusing on deposit-return schemes and PPWR implementation. Adjacent rather than direct competitor.
• RREUSE: European umbrella federation of social enterprises active in reuse, repair, and recycling. Adjacent peer in the European circular economy ecosystem; focuses on reuse-system infrastructure rather than training/certification, but its policy and network reach overlap with ZWEE's advocacy work.

Broad incumbents

• Zero Waste Europe: Pan-European zero waste advocacy network that ZWEE supports in advising cities and organizations; ZWEE participates in ZWE annual meetings and contributes to policy positions on PPWR and Clean Industrial Deal. Network parent for ZWEE's European reach.
• Circle Economy: Amsterdam-based impact organization providing circular economy consulting, the annual Circularity Gap Report, and tools/advisory for businesses and governments. Operates in the same circular economy advisory and reporting space as ZWEE but at significantly larger scale and global footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zero-waste-estonia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zero Waste Estonia SA