waste COLLECTiOn systems assessed and good pRacticeS identified
Updated on 19.09.2023
COLLECTORS identified good practices in waste collection and sorting, focusing on paper and packaging, waste electrical and electronic equipment, and construction and demolition. It aimed to harmonise information on systems, gain insights into performance, and help decision-makers improve systems by building capacity and establishing guidelines.
More information
Focusing on three waste streams, COLLECTORS:
- developed an inventory of waste practices with 242 waste collection systems;
- identified and analysed relevant case studies, considering both specific, local contexts (tourism activity and local gross domestic product) and the performance of the collection systems (capture rates)
- developed practical guidelines for decision-makers in local and regional authorities, producer responsibility organisations, and national and EU institutions.
The guidelines highlighted effective practices and instruments in high-quality recycling, ways to overcome local, specific challenges, and environmental and economic benefits that can be achieved by improving waste collection systems. Territories involved: Aarhus city (Denmark), Ås municipality (Norway), Beijing city (China), Changsha city (China), Hatay province (Turkey)
Relevance for Circular Systemic Solutions
Main results and lessons learnt
The project developed several useful tools, including:
- The COLLECTORS web platform: an online database documenting the organisation and performance of 242 European waste collection systems.
- The waste library, which lists reports on different aspects of local municipal waste management, including regulation, organisation, statistics, environmental and social aspects, and costs, and covers 24 countries.
- The COLLECTORS guidelines, which provide recommendations for local waste collection systems to better assess their situation and improve performance. They include practical recommendations and more concrete illustrations of how local systems succeeded in tackling challenges and improving performance.
- The COLLECTORS policy recommendations, which list propositions for improving national and regional framework conditions. They address six key topics and challenges highlighted by the project and propose how to improve the EU, national, and regional frameworks so that local players can implement successful, economically-viable waste collection systems.
Horizon programme(s) and/or topic(s)
Programme(s):
- H2020-EU.3.5.: SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials (Main programme)
- H2020-EU.3.5.3.: Ensuring the sustainable supply of non-energy and non-agricultural raw materials
Topic(s):
- SC5-15-2016-2017: Raw materials policy support actions
Responsible organisation and contact details
PNO Consultants Contact the project: https://www.collectors2020.eu/contact/
Project consortium partners
- Ramboll Deutschland Gmbh
- Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus Vtt Oy
- Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek N.V.
- Universiteit Leiden
- Association des Cités et Regions pour la gestion durable des Ressources
- Zero Waste Europe
- WEEE Forum a.i.s.b.l
- Eurocities Asbl
Key deliverables
- Guidelines for successful implementation
- Report of LCA meta-analysis and guidance document for LCA of waste collection systems
- Report on the economic and financial performance of waste collection systems
- Report on generalised criteria to support decision-making
- Policy recommendations and development needs related to the waste framework conditions
CCRI-relevant material
large 500 000-200 000, medium 200 000-50 000, and small cities 50 000-5 000
large metropolitan area >1.5 million, metropolitan area 1.5 million-500 000
predominantly urban regions, intermediate and predominantly rural regions, refer to TERCET typology NUTS 3 region