Styria launches autumn campaign to promote reuse

Styria has launched its fifth “Reuse Autumn” campaign, with more than 110 activities planned through October 3 to promote waste prevention and sustainability, ORF reported.

The campaign runs from Thursday through October 3, 2026, and involves all 17 Styrian waste management associations, along with about 140 organisations and initiatives.

Activities include flea markets, repair cafes and the Graz Repair Mile. On Friday, Caritas will open its “Junk and Rarities Market” on Herrgottwiesgasse in Graz. Caritas is taking part through 15 of its 30 Carla locations in Styria.

Twenty-eight Styrian waste collection centres will offer additional collections of reusable goods during the campaign. Schools and other educational institutions are also taking part. Further events will include action days at reuse shops, flea and swap markets, an environmental festival and a giveaway of rescued plants.

Provincial councillor Simone Schmiedtbauer of the Austrian People’s Party said Styria’s recycling rate of about 70 percent placed it among Europe’s leading regions. However, the volume of household waste showed that there was still significant potential to prevent waste, she said.

Caritas deputy director Petra Prattes said product quality was important for reuse. She warned that fast fashion was increasingly becoming disposable fashion, with some garments no longer wearable after only a few washes. Considering reuse when buying products could strengthen the circular economy from the outset, she said.