As part of the Circular Economy Technical Assistance Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, CETAP delivered a dedicated training programme on Waste Collection Schemes, Options and Challenges from 4–8 May, bringing together representatives of local authorities, utility companies and relevant stakeholders to support the development of more effective, financially sustainable and circular-oriented waste collection systems.

The training was designed to strengthen practical knowledge around the planning, design and implementation of modern waste collection systems, with a strong focus on local application in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Across the programme, participants explored how municipalities, cantons and utility companies can move beyond traditional waste collection approaches and begin building systems that support waste prevention, separate collection, recycling and long-term circular economy outcomes.

The session opened with “Tools That Change Behaviour: Engagement Mechanisms That Deliver Real Circular Outcomes”, delivered by Scott Crossett, setting the tone for the day by highlighting the role of public engagement, communication and behaviour change in making waste systems work in practice. This was followed by technical sessions led by Harri Moora and Tomas Thernström, who introduced participants to the current waste management situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including collection coverage, separate collection challenges and the expectations linked to EU approximation.

A key theme of the training was that successful waste collection systems cannot rely on one single model. Participants examined the different roles of kerbside collection, communal collection systems and staffed recycling centres, and considered how each approach can be adapted for different waste fractions and target groups, including single houses, multi-family housing, rural areas and businesses. Through interactive discussions, participants mapped existing local practices and reflected on which systems are most appropriate for their own communities.

The training also placed strong emphasis on the importance of planning. Participants explored how waste collection systems need to be integrated into municipal planning processes from the earliest stages, including spatial plans, development decisions and building permits. Using examples from Sweden, the training demonstrated how waste assessments can help ensure that collection systems are properly designed before infrastructure is built, and reinforced the responsibility of municipalities to define the permitted systems and technical standards required for effective implementation.

Practical examples from Sweden and Estonia were used throughout the programme to show how different collection systems can be designed, communicated and financed in real-world settings. These examples helped participants consider how international good practice can be adapted to the Bosnia and Herzegovina context, particularly in relation to residual waste, food waste, packaging waste, bulky waste, hazardous waste, e-waste, textiles and garden waste.

By the end of the training, participants had developed a clearer understanding of how waste collection systems can be planned, financed, communicated and adapted to local needs. The training provided not only technical guidance, but also a practical framework for decision-making, helping stakeholders identify realistic improvements that can support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s transition towards a more circular economy.

Through activities such as this, CETAP continues to support institutions, municipalities, utility companies and other stakeholders in building the knowledge, systems and cooperation needed to improve waste management and align with EU circular economy objectives.