Smart bins: Ferrara leads the way in recycling.

How to become the first Italian city for the collectionMayors and municipal councilors for the Environment and Urban Services should go to Ferrara to discover, on the ground, the secrets  which led the Emilian capital to a record 87,9 percent waste separation rate.

The key to this extraordinary achievement lies, first and foremost, in the population's civic-mindedness and the widespread use of new technologies for waste collection and disposal. In just a few months, over 1.000 smart bins have been deployed across the city, from the center to the outskirts.

The new bins for unsorted waste are very easy to use. To open them, simply hold your Smeraldo Card (or your smartphone for those using the virtual card) close to the reader on the bin, which is marked with a symbol of four concentric circles. The bin will then open automatically, allowing you to insert a tightly closed waste bag. To close the door, simply press the pedal. The new technology allows you to use the bin without touching it. Furthermore, the capacity of the bags (maximum 30 liters) remains unchanged, to prevent excessive garbage accumulation.

How the new bins work: automatic opening and a pedal to close the bin. The bins for unsorted waste will be even more technologically advanced and easier to use. To open them, simply hold the new Smeraldo Card (or your smartphone for those using the virtual card) close to the reader on the bin, which is marked with a symbol of four concentric circles. The bin will then open automatically, allowing you to insert a tightly closed waste bag. To close the door, simply press the pedal. The new technology allows you to use the bin without touching it. The capacity of the bags (maximum 30 liters) that can be placed in the bin remains unchanged.

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• Treviso: Record waste separation and lowest waste tax in Italy.