How can we make events zero waste?
By 2050, the Dutch economy must be fully circular. This means that products and raw materials are reused for as long as possible, without wasting valuable resources. But we’re not there yet. Events continue to generate massive amounts of waste – from single-use cups and packaging to decorations that are thrown out after just one day. The National Circular Economy Hackathon challenges students to develop innovative solutions to make events zero waste. How can event organizers design sustainable, future-proof events? The next edition of the National Hackathon Circular Economy will take place from February 2 to 6, 2026.
Aftermovie NHCE 2025
Save the Date:
The National Hackathon Circular Economy
February 2–6, 2026
The case of 2026
Rethinking waste at events
In the 2026 edition of the National Hackathon Circular Economy, students take on a major challenge: how can we make events zero waste?
Festivals, sports matches, and conferences still generate enormous amounts of waste: from single-use plastics and food packaging to leftover materials that often end up in the trash. The event industry is still far from circular.
This year’s case holder, waste and recycling company PreZero, invites students to think beyond the bin. What does a zero-waste event actually look like? What behaviors, systems, or incentives can drastically reduce waste before, during, and after an event? And how do we get visitors, organizers, and suppliers on board?
During the hackathon, students from across the country work on creative, practical concepts, from reusable systems and circular logistics to smart incentives and digital tools.
What would make you change your behavior at an event? How can we make waste reduction part of the experience fun, easy, and impossible to ignore? This generation has the power to turn waste into value. Are you ready to design the future of zero-waste events?
Waste in a circular economy
In a circular economy, we try to prevent waste as much as possible by reusing, repairing, recycling, rethinking or eliminating the need for single-use items. The goal is to keep materials in use for as long as possible, and to design systems where "waste" doesn’t even exist.
Why is this important?
Events often generate large amounts of waste in a short time, from single-use packaging to leftover food and materials. By making events zero waste, we reduce pressure on natural resources, lower CO₂ emissions, and prevent valuable materials from being lost. It’s a crucial step toward a more sustainable, circular future.
Join us!
For students
Stay tuned for the next edition of the National Hackathon Circular Economy.
If you have questions, send us an email (dianne.defijter@hetgroenebrein.nl). We're happy to connect you with the right person.
For educators & educational institutions
Get involved! Become one of the hosts of the next NHCE! Anyone can participate in a way that suits you. Sign up for example with (a group of students from) a minor, course, living lab, graduate students or another group of students.
Would you like to participate with your educational institution? Stay tuned for the next edition.
Contact: Dianne de Fijter, programme manager LCT via dianne.defijter@hetgroenebrein.nl.
Questions
do you have questions about this Hackathon? Please contact Dianne de Fijter, programme manager LCT via dianne.defijter@hetgroenebrein.nl