Circular Waste Living Lab

We are currently building a robust transnational partnership and have already secured two key partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria. To complete our network, we are actively seeking new partners who share our vision and face similar waste management challenges. We are particularly interested in incorporating cities from Northern or Central Europe to ensure a balanced geographical representation. Please note that, according to URBACT regulations, we can no longer accept additional partners from IPA/NDICI countries, as this position is already successfully filled.

The "Circular Waste Living Lab" addresses the urgent need to overcome the inefficiencies of current waste management. While many municipalities have advanced collection systems, they often remain dependent on distant, centralized treatment plants, resulting in high carbon footprints and unsustainable costs. Our project uses Daya Vieja as a laboratory to test how technology can locally close the organic loop. By integrating digital identification (RFID) and smart community composting, we transform waste into a high-value resource for local farmland, aligning with the EU’s "Twin Transition," the Green Deal, and the Waste Framework Directive.

Our primary objective is to co-design and test a scalable smart composting model through a "Living Lab" methodology. This approach combines accessible technological solutions with inclusive citizen participation, ensuring that digital tools are user-friendly for all demographics. Through transnational exchange, the network will deliver an Actions Playbook to empower communities to lead their own transition toward zero waste. By drastically reducing transport emissions and fostering regenerative agricultural practices, we aim to enhance territorial resilience and operational efficiency across European local administrations.