A successful collection!

Initial Situation

The door-to-door collection system has been active since 2007 and includes the following fractions: organic waste, plastic packaging, paper, glass, and residual waste.
The schedule provided a high frequency for organic waste (3 times per week), twice for residual waste, and once for the other fractions.
Over the years, the separate collection rate has steadily increased, rising from 54% in 2012 to 83% in 2022.
In 2022, a new service operator took over, bringing renewed objectives and a vision focused on continuous improvement.

Objectives

The new management plan defined three main priorities:

• Improve the management of tourist users
• Consolidate the separate collection rate
• Prepare the system for the introduction of pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) billing

Solutions

To meet the new objectives, the operator upgraded the equipment distributed to both domestic and non-domestic users.
Urba and UrbaPLUS containers equipped with UHF tags were introduced, along with UHF-tagged bags for residual waste. The onboard automatic reading system – Arco40EVO – allows each emptying to be converted into real-time digital data.
This approach makes it possible to:

• Accurately monitor emptying operations
• Track collection routes
• Record additional information entered by operators

The introduction of these tools has encouraged more responsible user behaviour, both in the quality and quantity of waste delivered – key factors for implementing a fair PAYT system.
In addition, two ArcoSTATION controlled-access eco-islands were installed to facilitate waste collection for tourists and tenants.

Results

Thanks to the new management system and the technologies introduced, the Municipality of Villaputzu achieved an 88% separate collection rate in 2024, ranking as the third most virtuous municipality in Sardinia among small and medium-sized towns.