Bunder awards WasteMate at Ecomondo 2026

At Ecomondo 2026, Bunder Company awarded recognition to the WasteMate range (Traflux group), naming it among the leading smart compacting litter bins for kerbside-style waste collection in Italy and Europe. The recognition is an editorial initiative by Bunder: it is not a trade-fair jury prize or an on-stage award, but an authoritative highlight of WasteMate's technology, compaction and smart fill-level monitoring.

Rimini, November 2026 – Ecomondo 2026 took place at the Rimini expo centre from 3 to 6 November, as confirmed by the event organiser. (

) In that context Bunder, official WasteMate distributor for Italy, San Marino and Vatican City, highlighted the range for municipalities and environmental service providers looking to evolve urban waste collection at busy locations. Models, configurations and technical detail are published on the dedicated vertical site. ()

The recognition reflects how WasteMate litter bins address common pain points: limited capacity of conventional bins, frequent emptying, overflow risk and difficulty scheduling collection rounds. See Bunder's compacting smart bins catalogue page and the article on smart bins and fill-level sensors.

Bunder recognition for innovation in urban collection

Bunder's recognition is based on the technological and operational profile of WasteMate smart compacting litter bins, aligned with what Bunder supplies and documents nationally.

These are not simply higher-capacity bins: they are systems designed to improve kerbside collection efficiency—more material in the same footprint, autonomous power where needed and data that can be used to run the service.

WasteMate technology brings together three pillars:

• Integrated compaction: an internal press reduces waste volume, increasing usable capacity in the bin.
• Solar power: outdoor models use a solar panel to power electronics and the compaction mechanism.
• Smart monitoring: fill-level sensors send data to a digital platform for remote fleet management.

That integration sets WasteMate apart from conventional litter bins and from bins fitted with fill sensors only, as explained in Bunder's guide to smart bins.

WasteMate: why they rank among the best smart compacting litter bins

WasteMate compacting bins are designed to increase collection capacity without necessarily adding more bins or larger street furniture.

The integrated vertical press compacts waste inside the bin. Depending on material and operating conditions, the compaction ratio can reach up to 8:1 (from 5:1 to 8:1 by waste type), as stated in product documentation distributed by Bunder. (

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The range includes 120 and 240 L nominal capacities, for outdoor and indoor installations, with components suited to urban and commercial environments.

Bunder Company SRL is the official WasteMate distributor under a distribution agreement with Traflux; products are made by WasteMates B.V. (Netherlands), part of the Belgian Traflux group. See About us for Bunder's role and territory.

Smart technology that cuts unnecessary emptying

A core benefit of WasteMate is remote monitoring of fill level.

Data is sent to the CleanCityManager platform to view bin status and manage the installed fleet through a digital interface. (

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For a municipality or contractor this means moving beyond calendar-only emptying: crews can use up-to-date information to target bins that need service, optimise routes and avoid unnecessary trips.

A solution for municipalities, contractors and public spaces

WasteMate smart compacting litter bins fit contexts where kerbside waste production makes conventional bins hard to manage, including alongside street furniture and public cleanliness services.

• Historic centres and pedestrian zones.
• Squares and shopping streets.
• Parks and public gardens.
• Stations, airports and interchanges.
• Tourist areas and seafronts.
• Shopping centres and large publicly accessible sites.
• Event and festival areas.

Here, higher effective capacity plus remote monitoring can reduce intervention frequency and improve streetscape quality. Compare sensors, compaction and data management in our smart bins insight and on the vertical portal. (

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Ecomondo 2026: innovation at the heart of waste management

Ecomondo is a major international forum for businesses, authorities and operators in the circular economy and environmental services.

The 2026 edition in Rimini (3–6 November) was a focal point for technologies that make environmental services more efficient. Bunder's recognition of WasteMate underlines how smart technologies apply to small-format litter collection too—a segment less visible than large container systems, but critical for public space quality.

Smart litter bins show how digitalisation, automation and data can improve urban cleanliness and waste management planning in cities.

WasteMate: a benchmark for the future of smart litter bins

Bunder's recognition at Ecomondo 2026 highlights a solution that combines capacity, energy autonomy, remote control and intelligent fleet management—capabilities increasingly demanded by public authorities and operators.

WasteMate compacting litter bins are an evolution beyond traditional containers and worth considering in urban collection innovation projects.

Frequently asked questions

Who recognised WasteMate compacting litter bins in 2026?

Bunder Company awarded WasteMate recognition for its smart compaction solutions on the occasion of Ecomondo 2026. This is a Bunder initiative, not an official Ecomondo jury prize.

Why are WasteMate bins considered among the best smart compacting litter bins?

Because they combine an internal press, solar power on outdoor models, fill-level sensors and digital management through CleanCityManager, plus 120 and 240 L formats and Bunder's support for supply and service in Italy.

Where can WasteMate compacting litter bins be used?

In city centres, parks, squares, commercial areas, stations, airports and other public spaces with high kerbside waste production. Applications and configurations are listed on cestini-compattanti.it.