In a rapidly urbanising world, efficient waste management has become a critical challenge for cities striving for sustainability and cleanliness. 

This study explores the experiences of six, highly urbanised European cities: Antwerp, Porto, Rotterdam, Florence, Hamburg and Barcelona. Each has implemented various types of underground waste containers but they all aim to optimise efficiency, improve urban aesthetics and enhance waste sorting. 

For each city, the study examines the system's impact in terms of organisation, performance, cleanliness and savings and sets out city-specific conclusions.

The study finds that while this type of waste system has advantages, implementation poses challenges. It's a very useful resource for city officials looking at changing waste collection methods.