Circular Waste Living Lab

The "Daya Vieja Circular Waste Living Lab" project stems from the need for rural municipalities to overcome the inefficiencies of current waste management models. In the case of Daya Vieja, although a door-to-door collection system with user identification and a smart emergency area is already in place, the locality remains dependent on distant, centralized treatment plants. This results in a high carbon footprint and unsustainable logistical costs. This context, combined with a traditional agricultural economy and an aging population, makes Daya Vieja the ideal laboratory to test how technology can locally close the organic matter loop, transforming waste into a resource for its own farmland.

Regarding policy frameworks, the network is built upon the European Union’s "Twin Transition," aligning with the European Green Deal and the Digital Decade 2030. The strategic entry point is the EU Waste Framework Directive, which demands stricter and more circular bio-waste management. Through the integration of digital identification and traceability systems (RFID), the project aims to demonstrate that digitalizing rural public services is the necessary engine to achieve climate targets and improve the operational efficiency of local administrations.

The primary objective of the network is the co-design and testing of a "smart community composting" model that is scalable to other small or medium-sized municipalities across Europe. Through transnational knowledge exchange, partners will work toward delivering an Action Portfolio that combines accessible technological solutions with inclusive citizen participation processes. Ultimately, the network seeks to empower rural communities to lead their own transition toward zero waste, drastically reducing transport-related emissions and fostering regenerative agricultural practices that enhance territorial resilience.