What PREVENT Waste Alliance does

PREVENT Waste Alliance is an international think and do tank established around 2019 in Bonn, Germany, that operates as a membership-based network connecting circular economy practitioners across more than 50 countries. It is hosted by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, a German federal enterprise, and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The alliance serves a horizontal mix of NGOs, social enterprises, research institutions, government entities, and private-sector companies working on plastics, e-waste and batteries, organic waste, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in low- and middle-income countries.

The core asset is the curated network of 600+ member organisations rather than a traditional software product. Its technology stack centres on the PREVENT Hub — an internal member platform for direct exchange, working group materials, matchmaking, news, and events — alongside three thematic Working Groups (Plastics, E-Waste and Batteries, Organics) and a public EPR Toolbox available in 13 languages. It also runs recurring programmes: Leadership Training for Multipliers cohorts, the RRR Accelerator for reuse/refurbishment/repair of electronics, the BE.Innovative Programme on behaviour-centred design, the Plastic Credits/ValuCred pilot, and the GAP for EPR sub-brand (a partnership with OECD, UNEP, and WWF) which adds an EPR library, helpdesk, and community platform.

The business model is non-commercial: membership is free for qualifying organisations, with all activities funded through BMZ development aid channelled via GIZ. There are no paying customers, no SaaS subscriptions, and no disclosed revenue; operations are governed by GIZ's management board (Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel as Chair, Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven as Vice-Chair, Anna Sophie Herken as board member) with Niels Annen (BMZ State Secretary) chairing the supervisory board. Distribution is via digital channels (LinkedIn, YouTube, newsletter, webinars) and convening at forums such as the World Circular Economy Forum and IFAT.

Name

PREVENT Waste Alliance

Legal name

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Website

https://prevent-waste.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PREVENT Waste Alliance is a Bonn-based, BMZ-funded international network hosted by GIZ that connects 600+ circular-economy organisations across 50+ countries through working groups, the PREVENT Hub platform, leadership training, accelerators, and the GAP for EPR partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Circular Economy Network and Sustainability Capacity Building Services

NAICS

Waste Management and Remediation Services (562), Remediation and Other Waste Management Services (5629), All Other Waste Management Services (56299)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Refuse Systems (4953), Hazardous Waste Management (4955)

akta.pro primary industry

Circularity Consulting & Program Management (EPR, Design-for-Circularity, LCA) (EUAIANAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL), E-waste & Universal Waste Collection/Transfer (Electronics, Lamps, Batteries) (EUAIABAG), Universal Waste Management (Batteries, Lamps, Mercury-Containing) (BPALAHAL)

Keywords

• Circular economy network
• Extended producer responsibility
• Waste management services
• Sustainability capacity building
• Circular economy knowledge platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Bonn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership and Network Services: PREVENT Waste Alliance operates as a non-profit international network funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through its implementing organization GIZ GmbH. The alliance provides membership services, working group facilitation, knowledge sharing platforms, and technical resources to its 600+ member organizations at no direct cost, supported entirely by government development funding.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PREVENT Waste Alliance operates a membership-based international network connecting more than 600 circular economy organisations across 50+ countries. It delivers this through the PREVENT Hub internal member platform, three thematic working groups (Plastics, E-Waste and Batteries, and Organics), and knowledge resources such as the EPR Toolbox available in 13 languages. The alliance also runs capacity-building programmes including Leadership Training for Multipliers, the RRR Accelerator, the BE.Innovative Programme, and Plastic Credits/ValuCred, all offered to qualifying member organisations at no direct cost.

Product overview

PREVENT Waste Alliance is an international think and do tank that operates as a membership-based network connecting circular economy practitioners worldwide. The core offering consists of the PREVENT Hub internal member platform, three thematic Working Groups (Plastics, E-Waste and Batteries, and Organics), and various programmes including Leadership Training for Multipliers, RRR Accelerator, BE.Innovative Programme, and Plastic Credits (ValuCred). The alliance provides knowledge resources through the EPR Toolbox (available in 13 languages) and Working Group Materials library. The GAP for EPR sub-brand, a partnership with GIZ, OECD, UNEP and WWF, offers specialised EPR support including a helpdesk, community platform, and EPR library. The Finance Navigator provides members access to funding databases and matchmaking. The platform connects over 600 member organisations from more than 50 countries, functioning as a network rather than a traditional SaaS product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PREVENT Hub: Internal member platform for direct exchange between members and access to resources, news and events.
• Global Action Partnership for EPR (GAP for EPR)
• EPR Toolbox
• BE.Innovative Programme
• RRR Accelerator
• Leadership Training for Multipliers

Products and services

• PREVENT Hub

Quantifiable outcome

• 600+ member organisations connected from 50+ countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.

• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ GmbH is the implementing organization and host of PREVENT Waste Alliance. The alliance is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). GIZ provides operational support, infrastructure, and coordination of the alliance's activities from its Bonn and Eschborn offices.
• Global Action Partnership for EPR (GAP for EPR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAP for EPR is an international partnership established between GIZ, OECD, UNEP, and WWF, with circular economy support from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. It is hosted by the PREVENT Waste Alliance and provides a one-stop-shop for EPR including library, helpdesk, and community resources.
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOECD is a founding partner of the Global Action Partnership for EPR (GAP for EPR), collaborating with GIZ, UNEP, and WWF on advancing Extended Producer Responsibility worldwide.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNEP is a founding partner of the Global Action Partnership for EPR (GAP for EPR), collaborating with GIZ, OECD, and WWF on advancing Extended Producer Responsibility worldwide.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF is a founding partner of the Global Action Partnership for EPR (GAP for EPR), collaborating with GIZ, OECD, and UNEP on advancing Extended Producer Responsibility worldwide.
• Ellen MacArthur FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides circular economy support to the Global Action Partnership for EPR (GAP for EPR), contributing expertise and resources to advance EPR implementation globally.
• Chamber of Commerce of Serbia (CCIS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Chamber of Commerce of Serbia became a member of PREVENT Waste Alliance in March 2026, gaining access to international partnerships, investments, and best practices in circular economy areas including extended producer responsibility, e-waste, and plastic management.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• World Economic Forum (WEF): Large international multi-stakeholder platform convening governments, business and civil society. Comparable to PREVENT in convening power on circular economy and sustainability topics, though with a much broader agenda.
• WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development): Business-led network convening companies on sustainability and circular economy. Comparable as a horizontal membership platform helping private-sector firms implement circular practices.
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): Intergovernmental policy organisation producing guidance on EPR and waste policy. A GAP for EPR partner and a clear comparable on shaping international guidelines and standards for circular economy solutions.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Global conservation NGO with active programmes on plastics, e-waste and circular economy. Comparable to PREVENT as a multi-stakeholder network and GAP for EPR founding partner advancing EPR and circularity.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): UN body setting global environmental policy and convening governments on waste, plastics and circular economy. PREVENT partners with UNEP via GAP for EPR, and they share a similar convening-and-policy role.

Emerging players

• Forum for the Future: International sustainability non-profit running programmes on circular economy, climate and sustainable business models. Comparable to PREVENT as a sustainability-focused convening and capacity-building network.
• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): International standards organisation for sustainability reporting. Comparable to PREVENT as a global standards/knowledge hub, though focused on corporate ESG reporting rather than circular-economy implementation.

Direct peers

• Circle Economy: International circular-economy impact organisation producing the Circularity Gap Report and operating accelerator programmes. Comparable to PREVENT as a circular-economy network producing reports, tools and programmes for practitioners.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: A leading international circular-economy think tank and network organisation. Directly comparable to PREVENT as a circular-economy convening platform working with governments, businesses and NGOs to advance the circular economy globally.
• StEP Initiative: Multi-stakeholder initiative solving problems related to e-waste and WEEE. PREVENT runs a sub-working group with StEP on Basel Convention implementation, indicating close operational overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQqTSvAb9aru7indCJORDkA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prevent-waste-alliance

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 PREVENT Waste Alliance