Moving towards Life Cycle Thinking by integrating Advanced Waste Management Systems
Waste4Think advances circular urban waste management by implementing and validating 20 eco-innovative solutions across the full waste value chain. Demonstrated in four diverse European cities – Halandri (GR), Zamudio (ES), Seveso (IT), and Cascais (PT) – the project addresses local waste realities, from low sorted-waste rates (11% in Halandri) to high performance (70% in Seveso). Solutions include IT tools, citizen engagement apps, educational programs, behavioral-change mechanisms, citizen science, economic instruments, optimized collection, and decentralized valorization methods such as FORBI (food residue biomass) biogas and nappies valorization. Supported by holistic data management, Waste4Think enhances operational planning, participation, and sustainable resource recovery. The project demonstrates replicable strategies for circular urban waste systems, combining technological, social, and organizational innovations to reduce GHG emissions, increase sorting rates, improve recycling performance, and foster scalable, resource-efficient circular economy solutions.
Duration: 2016 – 2020
Programme: Horizon 2020
Project ID: 688995
Total Budget: € 10,521,412.35
Keywords: waste management, bio-waste, circular economy, eco-innovative solutions, behavioural change, citizens engagement, bioenergy