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"BASIC ECOLOGICAL ISLANDS" - Road Waste Collection in Imola
Published on 08 April 2021
Italy
Emilia-Romagna
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
In october 2014 the Municipality of Imola decided to improve the waste collection system and established a permanent working group consisting of:
• The councilor for the environmental policy of Imola Municipality;
• Engineer of the Environment Office Municipality;
• Hera spa (largest local utilities in Italy);
• Environmental Guards.
The reorganization was based on a Road Waste Collection System with different characteristics in some areas (eg In the old town is integrated with a door-to-door collection) mainly based for residential areas in a model called the "Basis Ecological Islands", equipped with a technology that recognizes the customers and unlocks the opening, a Card reading system.
The system is compatible with a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) model applied to Undifferentiated waste bins thanks to:
Identification of the user by card equipped with RFID, unlocking opening of the volumetric box and registration;
22 litres the maximum volume of the garbage bag (computerized cap for volume limitation of waste delivery).
Hera spa operates as well in Dozza e Mordano, two small Municipality near Imola. Both municipalities introduced this system with PAYT in 2019.
The PAYT scheme relies on the introduction of pre-paid standard deliveries for residual waste for both businesses and household customers.
In Imola there is also a Collection Centre with 31 different types of deliverable waste, Business Integrative Services and on-demand services at home.
• The councilor for the environmental policy of Imola Municipality;
• Engineer of the Environment Office Municipality;
• Hera spa (largest local utilities in Italy);
• Environmental Guards.
The reorganization was based on a Road Waste Collection System with different characteristics in some areas (eg In the old town is integrated with a door-to-door collection) mainly based for residential areas in a model called the "Basis Ecological Islands", equipped with a technology that recognizes the customers and unlocks the opening, a Card reading system.
The system is compatible with a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) model applied to Undifferentiated waste bins thanks to:
Identification of the user by card equipped with RFID, unlocking opening of the volumetric box and registration;
22 litres the maximum volume of the garbage bag (computerized cap for volume limitation of waste delivery).
Hera spa operates as well in Dozza e Mordano, two small Municipality near Imola. Both municipalities introduced this system with PAYT in 2019.
The PAYT scheme relies on the introduction of pre-paid standard deliveries for residual waste for both businesses and household customers.
In Imola there is also a Collection Centre with 31 different types of deliverable waste, Business Integrative Services and on-demand services at home.
Expert opinion
Several lessons can be drawn from this good practice. The first is that establishing structures like working groups where the political level interfaces with in-house technicians, waste management companies and bodies in charge of environmental enforcement is an excellent choice that is instrumental to achieving better waste management performances. Moreover, policymakers can learn from the holistic approach that emerges from the good practice at hand with regard to the implementation of PAYT schemes for the conferral of waste to street bins combined with door-to-door collection in certain areas, the establishment of a well-functioning waste collection center and the application of sanctions against incorrect uses of waste facilities and illegal practices. The extension of the PAYT schemes to two Municipalities neighboring Imola and the very high rates of separate collection overall achieved stand out as unequivocal signs of the success and replicability of this good practice.
Resources needed
- Costs of new bins,
- Communication campaigns
- Participation processes
Evidence of success
Between 2015 and 2019, the amount of residual waste collected decreased more than 50%, from up to 20.000t to less than 10.000t. During the same period, the rate of separate waste collection increased from 55% up to 75%. The quality of the separated collected materials is high.
The use of the municipal Collection Centre has increased from 57.200 in 2015 to 79.700 in 2019. The system has been widely accepted by the majority of the population.
The use of the municipal Collection Centre has increased from 57.200 in 2015 to 79.700 in 2019. The system has been widely accepted by the majority of the population.
Potential for learning or transfer
The Road Waste Collection System based on "Basic Ecological Islands" reached high results in terms of participation in the separate collection and high quantity and quality of separate fractions collections.
Where associated to PAYT (Dozza e Mordano Municipality near Imola) the rate of separate waste collection increased up to 90% .
The key tools for its success are:
- participation process, information campaign and initial test period;
- monitoring activities to follow the system functioning;
- freedom for citizen to go to the "Basic Ecological Islands" at any time of the day;
- control and sanctioning of the incorrect use of the system and other bad practices like illegal disposal or waste tourism.
Where associated to PAYT (Dozza e Mordano Municipality near Imola) the rate of separate waste collection increased up to 90% .
The key tools for its success are:
- participation process, information campaign and initial test period;
- monitoring activities to follow the system functioning;
- freedom for citizen to go to the "Basic Ecological Islands" at any time of the day;
- control and sanctioning of the incorrect use of the system and other bad practices like illegal disposal or waste tourism.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Imola Municipality
Italy
Emilia-Romagna
Contact
Consultant