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Clear Cities – Sharing Knowledge and Best Practices for Less Waste

• 26. 2. 2025

In the European project Clear Cities, which will run until the end of spring 2027, partners from six European countries are exchanging knowledge and best practices in waste management. The Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR) has brought together a wide range of local stakeholders to enhance opportunities for upgrading policies and practices in Slovenia. At the second meeting and study visit in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, Slovenian best practices were presented by Jože Gregorič from the public company Voka Snaga and Maja Rijavec from the Smetumet association.

The central theme of the Apeldoorn meeting were waste collection models and policies that promote waste reduction and responsible waste management, thereby reducing the carbon footprint.

Slovenia’s waste collection data places it among the exemplary countries in terms of waste separation compared. Jože Gregorič from Voka Snaga presented Slovenia’s waste management model in the Netherlands. In this area, Sweden, the Netherlands, and northern Italy stand out, particularly in service digitization, where all separated waste fractions are included in the fixed waste collection fee, while general waste is charged separately for each household. This model encourages individuals to act more responsibly, as it directly affects their monthly costs. At the same time, it enables tracking bin fill levels and optimizing waste collection logistics.

Communication with the public also plays a key role in improving waste collection models and raising awareness about excessive waste generation. The city of Gothenburg presented a campaign with simple tips for reducing food, textile, and electronic waste, as well as water consumption. Their slogan, “Shower as long as a pop song lasts”—linked to Eurovision songs of standard three-minute length—is a great example of creative awareness-raising. Visiting the Circulus Waste Management Center and the Reuse Center with an open repair workshop in Apeldoorn demonstrated the importance of integrating such facilities and activities into public infrastructure to change residents’ attitudes toward waste.

RRA LUR brings a focus on partnership-building and stakeholder engagement in policy development to the project. Based on acquired knowledge and contributions from the Slovenian stakeholder group, they will prepare proposals for integrating waste management into the regional development program after 2027. They will also consider the needs of creative industries and startups, which, through breakthrough waste processing technologies, can significantly contribute to reuse development. These often include organizations that, through creative workshops, help preserve disappearing skills (such as sewing and repairs) that extend product lifespans.

Below, we present the practices of JP VOKA SNAGA and the Smetumet association, which were showcased in the Netherlands.

How Do We Manage Waste in Slovenia?

In the Netherlands, Jože Gregorič, project manager and expert in waste management, presented the tools used by JP Voka Snaga to conduct sorting analyses of various waste types. The results help understand different user behaviors. With a comprehensive waste separation system, modern infrastructure, and the central Waste Management Center RCERO Ljubljana operates across 11 municipalities, achieving a separation rate for municipal waste as high as 68.1%. The system is based on various separated collection methods, including door-to-door collection of biological waste, packaging, paper, and glass, along with 80 underground collection units in the city center, improving both the city’s aesthetics and collection efficiency. The city operates 55 collection vehicles and conducts regular waste composition analyses to improve processes, with the data serving as a valuable resource for targeted public awareness campaigns.

RCERO Ljubljana plays a crucial role in mechanical-biological waste treatment, where 9% of processed mixed municipal waste is recycled, 74% is used for fuel, and only 9% ends up in landfills. Through the anaerobic fermentation of biological waste, they produce compost and biogas, which is converted into electricity and heat.

In addition to efficient waste management, Ljubljana actively engages with businesses, institutions, and schools through educational programs, such as customized waste bin paintings for schools. Stay updated on waste management news at www.vokasnaga.si.

 

A Circular World with Smetumet

Smetumet transforms waste into opportunities through sustainable design and awareness-raising. They actively engage the public in shaping a waste-free future. As a circular economy actor, they seek practical waste solutions with creativity and humor.

This well-established association is driven by a dedicated team that runs awareness campaigns on waste and designs products from waste materials for students and the general public in collaboration with municipalities. They turn industrial waste into new products—often repurchased by companies as corporate gifts, complemented by employee awereness building workshops. They frequently collaborate with experts and policymakers to refresh traditional perspectives on waste.

Smetumet combines modern design with storytelling. They offer very practical solutions for complex issues—for example, their stylish bags made from discarded tarpaulins, climbing ropes, and car seat belts, or unique toys crafted from used ones. Through projects like Sea of Plastic and 5 Trillion Cigarette Butts —referring to the estimated annual disposal of cigarette butts, forming the largest plastic waste source by volume, which contain over 7,000 chemicals, at least 250 of which are harmful to health—they raise awareness on various topics. They have collaborated with more than 80 companies, 200 experts, and 15 municipalities.

Find out more about how they change attitudes toward waste through creativity and innovation at www.smetumet.com.