Transferring best practices and seeking solutions for sustainable waste management
Second stakeholder meeting of the Clear Cities project
On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, the second stakeholder meeting of the Clear Cities project took place in Ljubljana. The project aims to develop policies for carbon-neutral urban waste management. The meeting focused on transferring best practices, acquired second study visit to Apeldoorn, preparing further steps to promote sustainable waste management, and conducting a waste management status analysis in the region.
The bigger part of the meeting was dedicated to sharing key insights and practices gained by representatives of RRA LUR, JP Voka Snaga, and Smetumet during their study visit to the Netherlands. There, they explored effective approaches to reducing waste generation, methods for source separation of waste, and advanced waste processing systems. Among the solutions presented were economic instruments such as the “Pay as you throw” model, effective educational campaigns for residents, and mobile waste collection centers that improve accessibility to separate waste collection.
Special attention was given to promoting the partnership and preparing communication materials for the public. A constructive discussion emerged on awareness-raising strategies and joint promotional activities, with key objectives identified:
- Reducing and preventing waste generation to change consumer habits,
- Encouraging reuse while fostering the development of individual skills,
- Supporting the growth of craftsmanship and
- Promoting a proximity economy that reduces the carbon footprint.
The proximity economy is crucial in lowering carbon emissions, as it relies on local and short value chains, local production and consumption, and city models focused on people while supporting social economy business models. In spatial terms, this vision is embodied in the “15-minute city”, where everything a citizen needs is reachable within 15 minutes on foot or by bicycle. In terms of value chains, this concept encourages purchasing products made near consumers rather than imported from other continents.
The second part of the meeting focused on the finalization of the Situational Analysis, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) in four key areas:
- Responsible waste management and carbon footprint reduction
Participants recognized improved consumer awareness but noted a lack of systemic incentives to reduce waste. - Waste collection and transport: Emissions and efficiency
Discussions focused on improving waste collection logistics, reducing transport emissions, and better adapting existing systems. - Processing, recycling, reuse, and waste valorization
A lack of sufficient infrastructure for the effective processing and recycling of certain waste types, such as textiles and hygiene products, was highlighted - New carbon-free waste management technologies
Participants identified opportunities in digitalizing waste tracking systems, increasing the focus on carbon-neutral processes, and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize waste management.
The next study visit will take place in Ljubljana from May 13 to 15, 2025, featuring site visits of best practices and stakeholder involvement.
Additionally, stakeholders will have the opportunity to join the partner meeting and study visit on Sustainable logistics: Reducing emissions and improving waste collection and transport efficiency, scheduled for September in Gothenburg, Sweden. The knowledge gained there will again be transferred to the Slovenian partnership at a follow-up meeting after the study visit.
By then, the waste management status analysis for the region will be completed, and further steps will be developed for the public awareness and promotional campaign, which project partners are designing together.