Municipal waste sorting analysis as a tool for upgrading municipal waste management

By project CLEAR CITIES

Published on 05 March 2025

Slovenia

Zahodna Slovenija

Ljubljana

About this good practice

Effective waste management relies on data to assess efficiency and drive improvements. Key metrics include the percentage of separately collected waste, recyclability rates, and waste composition. One of the most valuable tools for optimizing waste separation is the analysis of mixed municipal waste and separately collected fractions such as bio-waste and packaging. Sorting analyses provide critical insights for upgrading collection systems and targeted communication with users. JP VOKA SNAGA has conducted annual sorting analyses of mixed municipal waste since 2019, following a standardized and reproducible protocol. These analyses inform specific actions to enhance waste separation. In 2022, the Municipality of Ljubljana expanded analyses to individual target groups, including primary schools, health centers, and municipal administration. The goal was to assess biological waste, packaging waste, and mixed municipal waste under the same national protocols used for the MPA. The results help refine and upgrade the separate waste collection system, both across the municipality and for specific user groups. The main stakeholders include the state, municipalities, waste management operators, and all users of waste collection and treatment services.

Resources needed

Sorting analyses require a sweeper vehicle (driver + 2 workers), a covered warehouse, a sieve, a weighing scale, an authorized analysis operator, and 4 workers for sorting and weighing. The process takes 13 working days.

Evidence of success

The results of sorting analyses of mixed municipal waste reveal the composition of mixed municipal waste. These data show which types of waste need special attention to increase the share of separately collected waste, e.g., bio-waste, plastic packaging, lithium-ion batteries, etc. Based on these findings, we plan to implement specific information campaigns. The analyses also reveal if there is an appropriate number of containers for each type of waste in certain areas.

Potential for learning or transfer

We consider that the implementation of sorting analyses on individual fractions of municipal waste is a mechanism for monitoring the performance of municipal waste management. From the measured results of the analyses, we can plan individual activities, both technical and communication, in the field of municipal waste management. The results of the analyses can be very useful data for planning further actions at both municipal and regional level. A key factor for the transfer of this practice is the inclusion of these activities in the waste regulations, which will be binding on waste management service providers or contracting authorities. When adopting circular economy strategies, they can be a tool for measuring the effectiveness of the intended objectives.