
In the cross-border area between Italy and Switzerland, waste production continues to grow and prevention struggles to become a structured practice. In Lombardy Region, 4.7 million tons of municipal waste were generated in 2023 (+2.1% in one year), with an average of 470.4 kg per inhabitant—still far from the 2027 regional target (436.2 kg per inhabitant per year).
In the Province of Varese, waste generation is below the regional average, but still above the set targets. In Canton Ticino it is among the highest in Europe, and there is no mandatory separate collection for textiles.
Prevention actions are often poorly coordinated and there are no shared measurement tools. The border dimension limits the exchange of expertise and solutions, while public budgets allocate limited specific resources to waste prevention and reduction. Meanwhile, waste generation is growing faster than recovery capacity.
RIDUCITI was wants to bridge this gap. The project aims to build an integrated territorial model for waste prevention and circular economy through concrete collaboration among institutions, communities, and local stakeholders. By working together, the two countries can overcome regulatory and cultural barriers that have so far limited the spread of good practices.
RIDUCITI’s actions are structured into three operational areas, designed to guide the territory from understanding the problem to the concrete testing of replicable solutions.
We analyze existing regulations and collect data on good practices on both sides of the border. The objective is to understand what works, who is involved, what the obstacles are, and how to build a common foundation for effective and replicable interventions.
Based on the mapping, RIDUCITI defines a shared strategy resulting from a participatory process involving institutions and stakeholders from both countries. A cross-border working group serves as a space for dialogue to coordinate actions and foster synergies. The strategy guides concrete and replicable actions, supported by practical guidelines and tools for citizens, schools, businesses, and institutions on key topics such as reuse, reduction of single-use items, food waste, and water consumption.
The creation of a cross-border Academy provides training for administrators, professionals, citizens, and teachers, encouraging the exchange of skills and good practices.
At the same time, an integrated communication plan is developed to analyze consumption behaviours and define targeted messages and tools to guide the community toward more sustainable daily choices through “nudges.”
The project then moves into its most operational phase: public administrations sign a collaborative pact and commit to implementing concrete prevention actions, ensuring that the project’s legacy continues beyond its completion. These actions include swap centers, reduction of single-use plastics, water refill systems, sustainable school canteens, and support for local shops.
Teachers and students are trained in good practices, with support for waste audits and hands-on experimentation. At the same time, an inclusive textile supply chain is tested: recovered textile waste is transformed into thermal and acoustic insulation panels, demonstrating both the feasibility and positive social impact of circular economy processes.
A cross-border campaign directly engages the community through digital tools, public events, and participatory initiatives, turning waste prevention into an everyday practice.