WASTE
Ljubljana, a pioneer in waste sorting and collection system
Before joining the EU in 2004, Slovenia did not have an appropriate waste sorting and collection system. Today, its capital, Ljubljana, has implemented a new system for collecting and sorting municipal waste, making it a pioneer in waste management. Indeed, Ljubljana is now the European capital with the highest share of separately collected waste. Its model is based on door-to-door collection and a gradual reduction in the frequency of collections.
Tags: Sorting, waste, collection
Challenges addressed
- Social acceptance of reducing the frequency of waste collection
Main objectives
- Reduce collection frequency
- Increase selective collection
- Reduce the amount of waste produced, especially residual waste
Facts
Project type Waste management
Partnership
Municipality of Ljubljana and SNAGA
Funding
Municipality of Ljubljana
Project description
In less than ten years, the capital, Ljubljana, has managed to become a pioneer in waste management. As soon as Slovenia entered the European Union, the city went beyond the traditional approach to waste management and developed a solid collection and sorting system based on two main practices:
- Door-to-door collection: in 2012, Snaga, the public company in charge of waste management in Ljubljana and neighboring municipalities, started collecting paper and packaging door-to-door. The system has proven to be very effective, in just a few months packaging recycling has more than tripled, while waste has been reduced by 29%.
- A reduction in the frequency of collections: after the successful introduction of door-to-door collection in Ljubljana in 2013, Snaga reduced the frequency of residual waste collection while maintaining the same levels of collections for recyclable waste and household waste.
The current collection system includes eight collection centers, where residents and other users can bring waste that is not or cannot be collected door-to-door and sorted according to different categories: hazardous waste, metals, plastic, electronic or electrical appliance waste, garden waste, construction waste, tires, wood products, bulky waste, clothing and textiles.
In the face of the pressure from residents and media, Snaga insisted on reduced collection frequency and further strengthened communication about the reasons for the change. As a result of this campaign, local and national media changed their mind and joined Snaga in asking the citizens to better sort their waste. Quantities of separately collected fractions continued growing. In addition, Ljubljana has redesigned its system of financing waste collection, making recycling and sorting waste more financially attractive for residents. This strategy has gradually changed citizens’ attitude towards waste sorting, making Ljubljana one of the top European cities in terms of recycling rates.
Information sources : https://zerowastecities.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/zero_waste_europe_CS5_the_story_of_Ljubljana_en.pdf
Impact and results
- The system reduced incineration, landfilling by 59% and waste generation by 15%, proving its feasibility in a very short time.
- Ljubljana’s recycling rate is now 20 points above the EU average and 10 points above its 2020 targets.
- Ljubljana produces 10% less municipal waste than the EU average and has one of the lowest waste management costs in Europe.
- Community engagement and effective communication campaigns were key to Ljubljana’s success.
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