Waste collection and treatment networks with source separation from Mobile Green Points (MGP): Citizens awareness and spatial planning for the collection of clean recyclable materials

This paper studied the recycling and the reuse of Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) with Source Separation. These practices are commonly utilized in the European Union (EU) and internationally, giving successful recycling and treatment examples mainly for 7 selected - segregated household waste streams: a) paper and cardboard b) plastics, c) metals, d) glass, e) clothing and textiles, f) Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and g) Edible Oil Wastes (EOW). Greece implements lower recycling levels, 21%, of the annually produced MSW comparing to the EU. In 2021 the Regional Government of Attica launched a pilot program of rewarding recycling with Source Separation called “THE GREEN CITY”. This program consists of 60 Mobile Green Points (MGPs) that serve a unified citizen awareness and waste collection (7 MSW streams) network throughout Attica. This network includes numerous temporary parking and operation spots for the MGPs. A 56% of them is located next to recreation and green areas, registering at least 70,000 citizens in the program and collecting approximately 400 tons of clean recyclable MSW (April 2022). Therefore, “THE GREEN CITY” program serves the setting target of Directive 2018/851 for at least 55% by weight recycling and reuse of the Greek MSW by 2025.