In 2002, the Urba line was launched—the first range of containers for separate collection designed by Sartori Ambiente.
A key milestone in our history, marking the beginning of a design evolution capable of supporting—and in some ways anticipating—the changes in urban waste management systems.
In the early 2000s, Italy saw the gradual spread of door-to-door collection models. Communities began reorganizing their services, introducing new operational approaches that required suitable tools: more functional, more durable, and closer to the everyday use of citizens.
It is in this context that Urba was created.
Not just a line of containers, but a concrete response to emerging needs: versatility, robustness, ergonomics, and ease of use became central elements of the design.
From the very beginning, Urba was conceived to evolve alongside collection systems.
From a simple container for separating waste fractions, it progressively became an active element within the service, designed to integrate with technologies that were beginning to emerge at the time.
A key moment came in 2007, with the liberalization in Italy of UHF frequencies for civil use, enabled by the Ministry of Communications decree of July 12.
This step marked a turning point: UHF RFID technology could now be adopted on a large scale, including in public services.
For the waste collection sector, this meant a profound transformation.
Containers became identifiable, traceable, and measurable. Collection was enriched with data, paving the way for advanced models such as pay-as-you-throw (TARIP) and increasingly efficient and transparent management systems.
In this scenario, Urba evolved.
From a physical product, it progressively became an interface between citizens and the system—a node within a broader ecosystem where data, technologies, and services interact.
This transformation represents one of the most significant steps in Sartori Ambiente’s growth: from a focus on container design and quality, to integration with digital solutions capable of redefining the very concept of urban hygiene services.
Today, looking back at that first line launched in 2002, we can recognize in Urba not just a product, but the beginning of a journey that has led us to develop increasingly advanced systems focused on measurement, control, and data valorization.
A journey that continues, guided by the same vision: designing solutions that help communities better manage their waste, transforming it into a resource.
Happy anniversary to Sartori Ambiente.