The longest-running event in the Posavje region, which traditionally brings the old town centre to life, has received the Zero Waste Event title for the third consecutive time.
The popular summer event, which traditionally brings the old town centre to life, once again set new milestones in sustainable event management. Based on measurements and an evaluation by the Institute for Waste Management, the Brežice City Promenade 2025 received the title “Zero Waste Event on the Way” with one star, confirming the successful implementation of measures to reduce waste, the use of reusable cups, and a high rate of separate waste collection.
With a 97.3% waste separation rate and just 0.04 kg of waste per visitor, the Brežice City Promenade reaffirmed its position as one of the most sustainability-oriented events in Slovenia. Despite a record number of visitors, the organisers managed to maintain high standards of waste management and visitor awareness – a result of years of commitment to green goals.
Green measures and innovations
From 9 to 18 July 2025, the historic town centre of Brežice once again transformed into a lively hub of culture, cuisine, and community. The event brought together 14 local vendors, all of whom signed a sustainability pledge committing to the use of environmentally friendly packaging.
Two eco-islands were set up on-site, clearly marked and complemented by visible signs on the tables guiding visitors towards proper waste separation. City waste bins were temporarily sealed and decorated with flowers, improving cleanliness and drawing attention to designated recycling areas.
The Green Team was on hand to assist visitors, offering guidance on proper waste sorting and ensuring the venue remained clean throughout the event. A drinking water station, designed in the shape of the Brežice Water Tower, allowed visitors to refill their reusable bottles, which were also available for purchase at the venue.
Every table was equipped with ashtrays, while special cigarette butt bins in the form of voting boxes encouraged visitors to dispose of cigarette ends responsibly in a playful way. Awareness of sustainable practices was also enhanced through short audio jingles, broadcast throughout the event, reminding guests about reusable cups, the water station, and the importance of the Green Team.
Open Kitchen: Brežice Selection
The main culinary event, “Open Kitchen: Brežice Selection,” held on 9 July 2025, showcased producers under the collective brand Brežice Selection. All participants served food exclusively in biodegradable dishes, trays, and cups, using wooden cutlery and paper napkins, thereby further reducing environmental impact.
Participating vendors included:
Gostilna in pension Les, Huda., Tourist Farm Pri Martinovih, Butcher Krošelj, Sladke zgodbe Janez, Reset Brewery, Stara gostilna Krulc, Tourist Farm Vimpolšek, and Riba in pol.
Reusable cups and responsible beverage service
The event’s sustainable character was further strengthened by Brincelj Cocktail Van and GMT Events d.o.o., who provided beverages throughout the ten days using a deposit-return system for reusable cups. All drinks were served in glass bottles or cans, avoiding single-use plastic packaging.
This approach followed the hierarchy of sustainable ordering – prioritising drinks on tap and in returnable bottles over disposable packaging. Such practices significantly reduce waste and encourage responsible consumption among visitors.
Green sponsor and community support
For the first time, the event was supported by a green sponsor – HESS (Hydroelectric Power Plants on the Lower Sava River), which enabled the implementation of additional environmental measures and contributed to the ongoing development of the “Green Promenade” concept.
The sponsorship funds were used to purchase 10 red maple trees (Acer rubrum) that adorned the city street during the event, providing pleasant shade and symbolising the community’s green growth. After the event, the trees were planted at various locations across the Municipality of Brežice, where their orange-red autumn foliage will create a distinctive landscape while helping to cool urban areas and improve air quality.
In September, HESS also launched a competition titled “10 Red Maples for 10 Green Stories,” donating trees to non-profit organisations in the Municipality of Brežice for the greening of public spaces. The aim of this initiative was to encourage local projects that contribute to sustainable development, community connection, and positive environmental change through tree planting.
In addition to the main green sponsor, we would also like to thank companies Kovis and GEN energija, whose support made it possible to deliver additional programme content and contributed to the successful realisation of this year’s Brežice City Promenade.
Youth and the “Greening Events” Project
A special focus of this year’s Promenade was the involvement of young people. Within the framework of the “Greening Events” project, led by the Institute for Entrepreneurship, Tourism and Youth Brežice, young creators designed and built playground structures from materials that would otherwise have been discarded as waste.
Through reuse, painting, and creative design, they gave new life to these materials and created engaging installations that drew great enthusiasm from visitors. The project demonstrated how creativity and sustainable thinking can transform simple ideas into inspiring solutions for the community.
Results and the way forward
Over the course of the ten-day event, which attracted nearly 20.000 visitors, a total of 800.74 kg of waste was collected – amounting to 0.04 kg per visitor and a 97.3% separation rate. This represents one of the best results among comparable events in Slovenia.
The Institute for Entrepreneurship, Tourism and Youth Brežice (ZPTM Brežice) will continue to improve the sustainable management of the event in the years ahead.
The Brežice City Promenade thus remains a model of sustainable practice, bringing together culture, the economy, and the community in pursuit of a shared goal – responsible care for the environment.
Year after year, the event proves that it is possible to combine entertainment, quality offerings, and environmental awareness to create experiences that leave only positive traces – in the heart of the town and in nature.