A citizen-based waste collection system like the one implemented in Treviso drives up recycling percentages. The needs of the citizens are important in the design of the system. Encouraging citizens to feel responsible varies depending on their situation and place.
Starting situation
The waste management company Contarina started working in Treviso about 9 years ago. Before that, the municipality was in control of waste management and collection. The system was a simple bin collection system, where locals did not have to separate waste.
Contarina started some 30 years ago and was already operating in 48 neighbouring municipalities, so they knew what would work with citizens. Treviso was the most recent municipality to join.
Contarina is a public company owned by a consortium called Priula (Consiglio di Bacino Priula).
Implementation
The first goal was to implement a door-to-door collection system with a pay-as-you throw fee. The switch took about one year. Bins include organic, glass, plastic and aluminium, paper and cardboard, and residual waste.
A huge communication campaign was launched to educate citizens on how the model would change. Dozens of sessions were organised for the community. In these sessions, the company explained the importance of recycling and how the pay as you throw system works. There were also billboards all around the city.
When the bins were delivered to citizens, they were informed how and when the changes would affect them. This was done via a calendar given to citizens where they could see when to put which bin out. This calendar is given out every year.
The pay-as-you-throw system works based on the amount of residual waste bins emptied per year. The minimum is the number of household members + 1, so on a yearly basis a family of 4 must pay for the emptying of 5 residual waste bins. Any extra residual waste bins emptied will be charged afterwards. This is registered with a chip in the bins. The other types of materials do not cost extra to be emptied.
Contarina also visits schools to educate students about waste management and recycling. They show students what happens with the products that they throw away. The effects of teaching students has been great, in that they tell their family members to recycle and explain how to do it properly.
It is important to note that Treviso caught up with the same level of recycling as other municipalities and cities in a much shorter time.
Contarina takes care of the organic waste. Because of this, they have 99% collection purity in the entire territory, including all 48 municipalities.
The company has an open house once a year for families so they can see what happens to their waste.
Challenges
In the early stages there was resistance from citizens. There was also some illegal dumping when people did not understand how the system worked. They would, for example, put old mattresses outside. After a few months, disposal practices improved.
Finding out who is responsible for the illegal waste can be difficult. Waste collectors and environmental rangers have the authority to go through waste to find personal information, and to then fine the person. The workers can check the contents of the bin. When recycling goes wrong, citizens receive warnings via stickers on their bins and afterwards they are fined. The fine depends on the size and material of waste.
If mistakes are made, the company calls directly to explain. They say that this is the most effective way to approach citizens.
In neighbourhoods where families work further away from home, it was noticed that on collection days the bins were left outside much longer than preferred. People were unable to take the bins inside, due to their working schedules. To avoid this, the EcoBus was invented
The EcoBus functions like a normal bus by following the same route every time. It stops for around 30 minutes per stop. This gives people the chance to drop off their waste when they come back home from work (evening service). The Ecobus has also had a pleasing side effect, in that it has become a social spot for the elderly People deposit their waste around the same time and meet up afterwards. In an unexpected way the EcoBus may be tackling loneliness.
In order to accommodate smaller houses in the older part of the city, smaller bins (30 litres) are provided. There are also more frequent pick-up services.
Teaching the rules to different cultures, especially those who are there for shorter stays is challenging. This is being dealt with by visiting the neighbourhoods more often, sharing information in many languages and collecting waste more often.
In order to tackle unrecycled street waste, there is a new project to change street bins to separate waste materials.
Results
Organic waste in Treviso is 99% recycled via composting.
The graphs show that when Contarina started taking over waste management throughout Veneto, recycling percentages went up by around 75% and the amount of residual waste collected yearly significantly decreased.
It is very rare for people to litter now.
When recycling is done well, the bill for each family stays low. However if the quality of waste goes down due to improper recycling, then the prices go up.
Findings and recommendations
Responsibility is key in Contarina’s model. Everyone has to take some level of responsibility.
Engaging citizens is important and can be challenging.
Continue to innovate and invest, do not become complacent. Contarina is now building a biogas facility at the organic waste treatment plant that will fuel their own lorries. A perfect example of circular economy closing the loop.
For more information on Contarina, visit their website.