in Barcelona
3 to 5 Nov 2026The Estonian capital has introduced an artificial intelligence application that identifies waste materials through image recognition and directs users to appropriate collection points across the city.
Addressing Municipal Recycling Challenges Through Computer Vision
The City of Tallinn launched the RecycleMore mobile application on 1 December 2025, enabling residents to photograph household items and receive automated guidance on proper disposal methods. The system employs machine learning algorithms to analyze images, determine material composition, and provide sorting instructions tailored to Estonia’s waste classification requirements.
Beyond material identification, the platform displays real-time container fill levels at nearby collection points, allowing users to avoid full receptacles before making trips. The application covers approximately 300 public packaging containers distributed throughout the municipality.
Crowdsourced Maintenance Reporting Enhances Operational Efficiency
RecycleMore incorporates a citizen reporting mechanism that allows users to flag containers requiring attention, including overflowing bins, equipment malfunctions, and instances of illegal dumping. This distributed monitoring approach provides municipal waste management teams with continuous situational awareness across collection infrastructure.
The system addresses a documented operational challenge in Tallinn’s waste network, where previous sensor pilot programs identified that most containers were only half-full at collection time while roughly 10% experienced overflow conditions. By aggregating user-submitted reports, the platform establishes a feedback loop between residents and service operators.
Test in Tallinn Program Provides Municipal Validation Framework
RecycleMore emerged from the city’s Test in Tallinn innovation initiative, which enables domestic and international technology firms to pilot solutions within municipal infrastructure. The program, which won Estonia’s 2025 Public Sector Innovation Award, has facilitated more than 28 innovation projects since its establishment, spanning autonomous vehicles, drone detection systems, noise monitoring, and waste digitalization.
Under the program structure, participating companies receive access to suitable city properties and facilities, connections with relevant municipal departments, and open data resources for up to 12 months. Tallinn positions itself as a testbed for scalable smart city solutions that can subsequently be deployed in other markets.
Estonia’s Recycling Performance and Regulatory Context
Estonia recycled 37.9% of its municipal waste in 2023 according to national statistics, positioning the country below the EU average but above several member states. The nation has set targets to achieve 55% municipal waste recycling by 2025 under European Waste Framework Directive requirements, with longer-term objectives of 65% recycling rates by 2035 and landfill disposal below 5% by 2026.
Tallinn generated 362 kg of municipal waste per capita in 2023, compared to the EU average of 511 kg. The city opened its first circularity centre in October 2024, with a second facility planned for late 2025 to expand repair, reuse, and recycling capacity for residents.
Privacy-Preserving Design and Pilot Evaluation Period
The application operates without collecting personal user data, a design consideration aligned with Estonia’s broader digital governance principles and European privacy regulations. RecycleMore is available through Google Play and Apple’s App Store at no cost.
The current pilot phase extends for six months, during which the city will gather user feedback, analyze adoption patterns, and assess measurable impacts on recycling behavior and container utilization. Results will inform decisions regarding permanent deployment and potential scaling to additional Estonian municipalities.
