by InTrieste
The city of Trieste has begun rolling out a new system of smart waste containers, an initiative aimed at improving recycling rates and reducing illegal dumping. The project, spearheaded by the municipal government in collaboration with the utility company AcegasApsAmga, is part of a broader effort to modernize waste collection and align with national sustainability targets.
The first of the new general waste containers was unveiled Friday in Prosecco, a district on the city’s outskirts, during a presentation attended by Michele Babuder, Trieste’s municipal councilor for territorial policies, along with local officials and representatives from AcegasApsAmga. Over the next year, more than 3,000 containers across the city will be replaced with updated models, many funded through Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
“The municipal administration had already begun moving toward this system in 2020 and 2021,” Babuder said. “Now, with AcegasApsAmga, we are taking another step toward increasing recycling rates and reducing improper waste disposal.”
A Phased Implementation
The transition to the new bins will be gradual, with installations occurring in phases. Initially, the containers will be freely accessible, with a push-button mechanism allowing users to open them. However, by 2026, the smart bins will be equipped with a controlled-access system that will require residents to use either a card or a mobile application to dispose of waste.
The phased rollout will begin in the city’s Altipiano districts before expanding to the center by mid-year. Additional installations will follow in other districts in the fall and early 2026. The goal is to create a more accountable system that encourages proper waste sorting and reduces overall waste production.
Addressing a Longstanding Issue
Trieste’s recycling rate, currently at 46 percent, lags behind the national average of 66 percent, according to the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA). The city spends an estimated €500,000 annually on cleaning up improperly disposed waste, a figure the new system aims to reduce.
City officials have emphasized that the cost of implementing the new bins will not be passed on to residents, as AcegasApsAmga is covering expenses not funded by PNRR. In addition, an informational campaign—including bilingual Italian-Slovenian materials—will be launched later this year to educate residents about the changes. Beginning in August, dedicated information points will be available to address community concerns.
“We are working closely with the municipal administration to make this transition as smooth as possible,” said Massimo Buiatti, director of environmental services at AcegasApsAmga. “This is a structural improvement for Trieste’s waste management system.”
Looking Ahead
The introduction of controlled-access waste bins is part of a broader modernization of Trieste’s waste management services. Other recent initiatives include the deployment of compacting bins, the expansion of used oil collection programs, and the construction of a new recycling center in Giarizzole.
Officials hope that these measures, alongside the new smart bins, will help push the city’s recycling rate above 60 percent in the coming years. Similar systems implemented in other municipalities have resulted in measurable improvements in waste sorting and recycling participation.
As the city prepares for the full transition to smart waste collection, officials remain focused on engaging the community to ensure the new system achieves its intended goals.
“This is about creating a more sustainable and efficient system for everyone,” Babuder said. “We want to give people the tools they need to dispose of waste responsibly while keeping our city clean.”
