Tallinn wins ITB Earth Award 2025 for its groundbreaking Anti-Waste Revolution
Tallinn received the ITB Earth Award 2025 at the Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards yesterday, recognising its innovative approach to sustainability. The Estonian capital, long known for its Singing Revolution, is now leading an Anti-Waste Revolution, setting new standards for eco-friendly urban development.
The city’s transformation began with the Nation’s Backbone Event, a country-wide clean-up initiative that brought people together to protect and restore the country’s natural beauty. This then evolved into a comprehensive waste management strategy focusing on prevention, innovation and long-term impact. Tallinn has since implemented waste-free public events, smart waste collection systems, and circular economy practices that engage both businesses and tourists.
A standout example of Tallinn’s commitment to the Anti-Waste Revolution was the 2023 Estonian Song and Dance Festival, where organisers eliminated over half a million single-use plastic items, preventing over 3.5 tonnes of plastic waste through a reusable tableware system. The city also supported the event by providing free additional public transport and offering bicycle parking options. Through these types of initiatives, Tallin hopes to inspire other cities to think big and set high goals, encouraging them to create synergy by drawing on the expert knowledge of the private sector.
Tallinn is showing that sustainability is about more than just policy—it’s about people and community involvement. Winning the ITB Earth Award 2025 attests to the city’s vision, proving that when communities come together with a shared purpose, real change is possible. Visitors to ITB Berlin can find out more about Green Destinations and their awards on their stand in Hall 4.1.
