Milan is the largest city in Europe to establish residential food waste collection city-wide, involving nearly all residents in less than two years.
In 2011, the Italian city of Milan’s overall recycling rate was low and consisted mainly of dry recyclables, like paper and plastic, collected separately at the curbside. Food waste was only collected from commercial sources. The city decided to improve planning and subsequent collection in 2012 and, already by 2014, the entire city was included in the process, with over 90 kg of waste collected per resident each year.
Citizens collect their food waste in compostable bags picked up twice weekly at the curbside. That same day, the food waste is transferred to an anaerobic digestion and composting facility. The logistics of the collection and transfer are carefully organized to limit fuel consumption and minimize traffic. To ensure citizen engagement, the city made sure to inform and involve citizens by designing a dedicated app. Furthermore, free vented kitchen bins were delivered to all households.
9,500 tons of CO2 expected to be reduced per year through food waste collection in Milan
The challenge
With a population of 1.36 million people, Milan faced the difficulty of managing high quantities of food waste within a densely populated area. In order to meet the challenge, Milan engaged the population and restructured waste collection services to minimize traffic and fuel consumption.
Co-benefits
Economic Implementing food waste collection in large cities can boost the bio-waste treatment sector and lead to job creation in the city.
Environmental The project ensures better use of resources, as waste is used in the production of biogas and reduces fossil fuel consumption.
Social After being successfully engaged in the project, Milanese now feel more involved in environmental policies and are generally participating more in city initiatives.
About Milan
Milan is a city in Italy, categorized as the largest and the most populous city in Italy, with the city proper at 1,369,000, and the Metropolitan City of Milan at 3,219,000. Milan is Italy’s main industrial and financial centre and corporation hub home to thousands of the most important companies worldwide. The city has long been named Fashion Capital of the World and the World’s Design capital.
