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Projects and results

Field observations

WEEE left on the street, next to bins or mixed with other waste: cases we document in Milan while working on the project. These are observations, not statistics.

7
Observations
13 June 2026 to 3 November 2026
Period
5
Left on the street
1
Left outside the bin
1
Wrong items in the bin

The observations

7 observations shown

  1. OSS-07Left on the street

    3 November 2026 · · Milan

    A microwave oven abandoned in a parking space, next to a planter.

    • The microwave oven in the parking space, next to the planter.
    • The oven seen from the pavement; a little further on, a metal grid on the ground.
  2. OSS-06Wrong items in the bin

    23 October 2026 · · Milan

    A street bin for small WEEE and light bulbs: through the slot, non-electronic waste is visible inside, including a bag and a banana peel.

    • The bin up close: one compartment for light bulbs and one for small WEEE.
    • Through the slot: a bag and a banana peel inside.
  3. OSS-05Left on the street

    10 October 2026 · · Milan

    An electric oven and a stereo system abandoned on the pavement with cardboard and other waste; a battery on the ground as well.

    • Electric oven, stereo system, cardboard and gloves on the pavement.
    • Close-up: the oven and the stereo; a battery on the ground too.
  4. OSS-04Left on the street

    10 October 2026 · · Milan

    An electric oven abandoned in a flower bed.

    • The electric oven in the flower bed, at the edge of the pavement.
  5. OSS-03Left outside the bin

    12 September 2026 · · Milan

    A microwave oven, a fan and other items left next to a street bin for small WEEE. The bin requires identification with a CRS/CNS card and its doors open to 25×25 cm.

    • A fan left on the ground next to the bin.
    • Next to the bin: a microwave oven, a fan and other items.
  6. OSS-02Left on the street

    19 August 2026 · · Milan

    A washing machine abandoned in a parking lane along an avenue.

    • The washing machine in the parking lane, between two cars.
    • The washing machine seen from the pavement.
    • Close-up: the door and the lifted top panel.
  7. OSS-01Left on the street

    13 June 2026 · · Milan

    A computer monitor left in a bag next to a street litter bin.

    • From above: the monitor in its bag, leaning against the bin.
    • The monitor left between the bin and the kerb.

What they do not show

These are cases observed in person, not a sample: they do not tell how often it happens or where it happens most. We do not attribute responsibility to individuals, operators or authorities.

What we take from them for the project

  • Opening and capacity: if an item does not fit through the door or the bin is full, it ends up on the ground. This happens even where access requires identification. eScrap SmartBin
  • What to do if it does not fit: the collection point should say where to take items that are too large. eScrap SmartBin
  • Clear information at the collection point: 15.3% of respondents do not know where to take WEEE. The research
  • Traceability: knowing who deposits helps measure flows and encourage responsibility, with the minimum data necessary. On its own it does not prevent dumping. eScrap SmartBin

eScrap SmartBin is in development: these functions have not yet been tested in the field.

Method

Photos taken by the RecoServ team in Milan. Number plates, house numbers, shop signs, labels and operator logos are obscured; we state only the city.