Waste4think was born from the public-private cooperation within the European project Waste4think, where companies, public bodies and research centers, shared a common goal: the shift towards an efficient, sustainable and competitive waste management. The aim was to reduce waste and produced gases, improve the recycling rate and achieve the path towards a circular economy in Europe.

The project involved 19 partners: 5 public administrations, 1 research organization, 2 universities, 9 industrial organizations, 1 corporate cluster, 1 NGO and the action was implemented in four cities: Zamudio, Jalandri, Seveso and Cascais.

The integrated solution of the Waste4think project concerns a waste management consulting service centered on four management areas:

1) Waste prevention:
A first assessment was made in the production, sorting and management of waste. The environmental management that must be implemented was diagnosed, the costs and emission of air pollutants were analyzed and measures and actions were proposed to improve them in the urban areas involved in the program.

2) Waste collection:
Waste4think according to the needs, analyzed, proposed suitable models of sustainable collection, depending on the demographic, geographical and other social parameters of the municipalities. He also offered advice on acquisition and application of technology, required to reduce waste such as: sensors, containers, bins and refund systems.

3) PAYT
Pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) is a tool that promotes sustainability and zero waste. It is the most effective means of increasing the level of recycling in municipalities.

4) Utilization of waste
Waste4Think diagnosed the current state of waste recovery. Improvements and reuse of waste were suggested. Organic waste was utilized for the production of biofuels, biomass and by-products and high quality materials were recovered.