The Municipality of Villaputzu, located in the province of South Sardinia, has undertaken a significant journey to improve urban waste management, culminating in 2023 with the adoption of an advanced separate waste collection system in collaboration with Sartori Ambiente.
Evolution of the Collection System
Since 2007, the Municipality has implemented a door-to-door collection system for organic waste, plastic, paper, glass, and residual dry waste. In 2022, with the arrival of a new service provider, a renewal process was launched to further enhance service performance. The identified priorities included:
- Optimization of tourist users’ waste management
- Consolidation of separate collection rates
- Preparation for the implementation of pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) systems
Adopted Technological Solutions
To achieve these objectives, several innovations were introduced:
- Urba and UrbaPLUS containers with UHF TAGs: enable unique user identification and traceability of waste disposals
- UHF TAG-identified bags: used for residual waste, allow for effective monitoring of unsorted waste
- Arco40EVO automated reading system: installed on collection vehicles, enables real-time tracking of emptying events
These solutions have encouraged more responsible behaviors among citizens, improving both the quality and quantity of waste separation.
Achieved Results
Thanks to the implementation of new technologies and the reorganization of the service, the Municipality of Villaputzu achieved a separate waste collection rate of 88% in 2024, ranking as the third most virtuous municipality in Sardinia among small and medium-sized towns.
Regional Context
Villaputzu’s success is part of a broader positive trend at the regional level. In 2023, Sardinia reached an average separate collection rate of 76.46%, moving well ahead of the targets set for 2029.
Conclusions
Villaputzu’s experience demonstrates how the adoption of advanced technologies and careful service management can lead to outstanding results in waste separation, contributing significantly to environmental sustainability and community well-being.