Slovenia-Maribor: Citizen awareness and engagement creation through a gamification tool

In the City of Maribor, we are facing the ineffective and improper separation of biowaste. Consequently, the amount of mixed waste is too high, particularly since we face a lack of public engagement and discipline in the separation process at the source. The recyclables most often end up in the wrong waste containers. On one hand, such attitude contributes to the overall emission of CO2 – locally and globally, hindering the City’s effort to become one of the 100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030. On the other hand, such waste has the potential to fuel circular, innovative actions in the city. For this reason, the City of Maribor, in accordance with the waste collection provider JAVNO PODJETJE SNAGA d.o.o. has chosen to focus on mixed waste, aiming to establish a “recycle and reuse” society – from waste management to resource management. Such a solution could improve waste sorting and recycling rates using digital solutions and artificial intelligence.

In order to do so, the City needs a strong data system able to monitor and analyse systematically the entire end-of-life cycle in the City.

Such digital solution(s) should also help identify key stakeholders and their ongoing initiatives while favouring collaboration.

In fact, the use of data and digital solutions can be a way to raise awareness, educate and stimulate active engagement of citizens and local actors (also through gamification).

A socio-technical system promoting waste separation at source and appropriate management of gathered fractions. This could be achieved by raising awareness and communicating with citizens, as well as using new approaches to promote behavioural change such as gamification and other incentives.