Limburg.net is looking for the waste collection system of the future. The objectives are to develop a system that allows (1) more fractions to be collected separately, (2) at the same or lower cost price, (3) with less transport kilometres and (4) high customer friendliness.

Optimo is a project that assesses whether the simultaneous collection of the various separated waste fractions in one single transport meets these requirements.

In Flanders citizens sort by type of waste into bags of different colours, but all bags are collected with the same garbage truck. In a sorting centre, the bags are then optically sorted.

Based on the results of an ongoing pilot project, we can simulate that the Optimo system is more sustainable (fewer kilometres) and financially more interesting. The first reports on customer-friendliness (surveys) and participation/sorting discipline (sorting analyses) are also positive.

But technically there remains a problem: in the traditional press cracklers, household waste is compressed as much as possible and a large loading capacity is achieved. The Optimo garbage trucks can only press limitedly, as the bags should not tear. Research is needed on the design of loading systems (or logistical alternatives).

If the project is successful, there is great potential in Flanders and beyond for multi-fraction garbage collection in urban (less mobility problems and less fine particles) and rural areas (more efficient).