With over 83,000 residents, the Municipality of Busto Arsizio embarked in 2025 on a significant transformation toward a more sustainable, fair, and transparent urban waste management system. At the core of this change is the introduction of pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) pricing, a system that rewards responsible citizen behavior by charging based on the actual amount of non-recyclable residual waste disposed.
The project, managed by AGESP S.p.A., began with an analysis and planning phase in 2023, during which environmental, technical, and operational goals were defined. The main challenge was to develop a system that would be easy for users to adopt while ensuring reliable waste tracking.
The System at a Glance
- Door-to-door collection for organic and residual waste
- Containers equipped with RFID tags to uniquely identify each user
- Arco40EVO, the vehicle-mounted RFID reader, installed on collection trucks for automatic reading of disposals
- A centralized IT platform for data management and traceability, integrated with the tariff management system
Project Phases
- Mapping of users and distribution of personalized containers with RFID tags
- Comprehensive communication campaign, including public meetings, multilingual materials, and dedicated help desks, to ensure full understanding of the new system
- Pre-operational testing phase to field-test the technology and resolve any operational issues
- Official launch of PAYT in 2025, with continuous monitoring and user support
Results Achieved
Just a few months after implementation, the results are clear:
- A significant reduction in residual waste, thanks to increased awareness in waste separation
- A rise in recyclable materials, due to more precise and careful sorting practices
- Separate waste collection rates increased from 71% in 2023 to 83% in 2024—an unmistakable sign of a cultural shift in progress
This project is a concrete example of how advanced technology, administrative vision, and citizen engagement can work together to deliver measurable environmental, economic, and social outcomes.
Busto Arsizio thus stands out as a forward-thinking municipality, capable of addressing environmental challenges with pragmatism and innovation.