Digital Technologies for the Circular Economy: The Evolution of Urban Waste Management
Efficient management of urban waste is a cornerstone for the practical implementation of circular economy policies. Reducing landfill disposal, increasing material and energy recovery, and improving traceability are just some of the strategic goals for the Environmental Hygiene and Waste Management sector.
However, significant territorial disparities persist in Italy. Central and Southern regions suffer from a lack of infrastructure, resulting in high waste transport costs and greater reliance on landfills.
According to the 2024 Sustainability Report by Fondazione Utilitas and Utilitalia, in 2023:
6.7 million citizens were served with pay-as-you-throw pricing, rising from 36% to 50%;
11.9 million tons of waste were collected through approximately 1,000 collection centers;
Separate waste collection reached 76% (+2% compared to 2022);
30 million m³ of biomethane were produced via the Waste-to-Energy model.
Digital technologies are strategic enablers supporting the sector’s evolution:
IoT, Big Data, and AI to optimize logistics, forecast flows, and reduce waste;
IT platforms for integrated management across collection, treatment, and recovery;
Active involvement of citizens and businesses through interactive digital tools.
Neta’s software solutions by Engineering enable the principles of the circular economy in practice. Here are some examples:
CRM for Environmental Hygiene
Precise waste traceability
Citizen engagement via real-time notifications (KAYT model)
Automated service requests (e.g., bulky item pickup)
Discover the CRM Module
MDM Waste
Real-time traceability of disposals
IoT sensors to measure waste types and volumes
Custom reports and automated measurement data
Discover MDM Waste
Billing
Customized billing based on actual waste production
Automated invoicing with reduced paper usage
Predictive alerts for critical thresholds
Discover the Billing Module
Credit Management
Credit scoring and proactive management of overdue accounts
Automated repayment plans
Reduced administrative and paper waste
Discover Credit Management
NetaSIAL – Logistics, Purchasing, and Warehouse
Sustainable procurement
Circular asset and equipment management
ESG accounting and paper use reduction
Discover NetaSIAL
The digital transformation of the Environmental Hygiene and Waste Management sector is a key lever to bridge regional gaps, improve service quality, and ensure sustainability at every stage of waste management. With Neta solutions, Engineering supports Utilities on a tangible, data-driven path toward a circular economy.