Collection model:
Door-to-door collection rolled out in four stages (2012–2014), covering all households and large producers.
Treatment model:
Anaerobic digestion at Montello plant with composting of digestate (mixed with green waste); capacity 200,000 t/year.
Key elements:
PAYT framework approved; staged rollout for 1.4 million inhabitants; user-friendly starter kits (120-L brown bin, 10-L kitchen caddy, 25 EN 13432 compostable bags); reduced residual waste frequency and transparent residual bags for inspection; dedicated mobile app (“PuliAmo”); 24/7 support; waste inspectors authorised to issue fines.
Evidence of success:
(2022 data) 63% MSW separate collection rate. Bio-waste: 101 kg/inhab./yr (kitchen waste). ~87% capture rate of total kitchen waste. Impurities: 4–5%.
Awareness and engagement:
Pre-rollout communication with clear instructions delivered alongside starter kits during staged implementation. Multi-channel outreach (flyers, mail, posters, billboards, social media). Multilingual communication (10 languages; 180,000 targeted deliveries to foreign communities). Dedicated “PuliAmo” app (collection calendar, sorting guide, service info). Regular customer satisfaction surveys and continuous feedback mechanisms. ~30 waste inspectors conduct quality checks and issue fines, reinforcing accountability and compliance. Ongoing education through schools and community initiatives.
Italy
Scale: Local (municipal)
Demographic type: Urban
Population: 1,400,000 inh.; 7,518 inh./km² (2020)
Organisation in charge: AMSA, part of A2A group
Source:
Zero Waste Europe (2021): The Story of Milan: Successfully collecting food waste for over 1.4 million inhabitants.
LIFE BIOBEST (2024). D3.4 Country Factsheets on the analysis of communication and engagement practices.