Sardinia rocks at waste management! We went on a field trip to discover why.
In October 2017, we organised a study tour in Sardinia, the Mediterranean leader in waste management. Sardinia’s rapid progress in recycling, driven by strong economic incentives, demonstrates how Zero Waste principles can thrive in tourist hotspots. The tour included:
- Door-to-door waste collection in urban and tourist areas
- Coastal and tourist towns
- Composting and anaerobic digestion sites
- Sorting facilities
Discussions with the regional government on waste management incentives
Sardinia has become a shining example of Zero Waste success through remarkable recycling efforts and local initiatives. The island challenges perceptions of what’s possible, showing that even remote, high-tourism areas can achieve Zero Waste.
Behind the paradise: A waste revolution
Sardinia, known for its stunning 2,000 km coastline and majestic mountains, offers more than natural beauty. Its success in waste management stems from collaboration between residents and government. Despite challenges like insularity and high tourist volumes, Sardinia has set a standard for Zero Waste in densely populated tourist regions.
Supported by Zero Waste Sardinia and Zero Waste Italy, the island implemented a door-to-door collection system that holds municipalities accountable, rewarding or penalizing them based on performance. By 2015, Sardinia had:
- A regional recycling rate of 56%
- Over 65% recycling rates in 206 municipalities, with 47 exceeding 75%
- Reduced waste generation by 16% (143,724 tonnes) in nine years
Concrete results
Sardinia’s progress in separate waste collection is evident. From the 717,242 tonnes of separately collected waste in 2015, nearly every category showed significant growth. This success is driven by community engagement, local government incentives, and widespread Zero Waste education.
Lessons for Europe
Sardinia proves that Zero Waste starts locally, with empowered communities and clear incentives. This serves as a wakeup call for European countries investing heavily in waste management yet struggling to achieve high recycling rates. Sardinia shows it’s not about the money spent but the strategies implemented and the people engaged.
The message is clear: Zero Waste is achievable—anywhere.
