Towards more sustainable and efficient outdoor sorting – The new Loop outdoor sorting bin

Cities and municipalities face growing demands in waste management. New EU directives oblige cities to enhance recycling and separate collection, and Nordic sorting standardization simplifies residents' daily lives. In the future, the role of outdoor sorting will grow even further – but how can urban planning address these challenges?

Why is outdoor sorting increasingly important?

By 2030, the EU aims for a 60% recycling rate for municipal waste. By 2040, the recycling rate is expected to rise even further. Municipalities and cities are required to provide better sorting solutions for public areas, particularly for biowaste, plastic, and textiles. 

However, outdoor sorting is not only important due to EU requirements but also because it reduces the amount of mixed waste, lessens landfill burden, and promotes the circular economy of materials. Effective sorting can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect natural resources, making it a key part of climate action.

Nordic sorting standardization simplifies recycling

The Nordic countries have implemented a unified pictogram system that facilitates waste sorting with clear symbols and colors. This system, developed in Denmark, has spread to Sweden, Norway, and Finland, aiming to standardize sorting and improve recycling.

In Finland, the implementation of pictograms has been developed under the leadership of Suomen Kiertovoima ry KIVO, in cooperation with municipal waste management facilities and packaging producer organizations. The project stems from the need to clarify waste imagery and sorting methods, as previously different areas used varying symbols and designations.

Nordic sorting standardization brings clarity and uniformity to waste management. Unified colors and symbols make sorting smoother, reduce incorrect sorting, and simplify residents' daily lives. This standardization also helps cities and municipalities design more effective and clear recycling systems that support active resident participation in sorting.

Lehtovuori, a pioneer in outdoor sorting – a new outdoor sorting concept: Loop

At the Viherpäivät 2025 fair, we presented new prototype solutions for outdoor sorting to our customers. These included various modular and user-friendly sorting points, designed to meet the needs of cities and municipalities. We gathered valuable feedback from our customers, which helped us further refine our outdoor sorting concept to be even more functional.

These prototypes and feedback led to a complete solution: the Loop outdoor sorting bin – a modern, durable, and adaptable sorting solution that can be equipped with fill level monitoring and connected to the Finbin Connect cloud service. This optimizes emptying, reduces costs, and keeps the urban environment clean.

On the left, Lehtovuori's prototypes for outdoor sorting solutions at Viherpäivät 2025. On the right, the final and finished Loop outdoor sorting bin.

Loop's greatest strength is its modularity: sorting openings, panels, and waste fractions are all interchangeable, so the sorting station can be customized according to the environment and usage needs, and flexibly modified later. As new EU waste management directives require cities to expand separate collection of fractions (e.g., biowaste, plastic, and textiles) and Nordic sorting standardization unifies the use of colors and symbols, Loop adapts to these requirements without the need to invest in entirely new equipment. Individual fractions and signage can be easily added or updated on-site, allowing the city to stay ahead of legislation – cost-effectively and serving residents.

Loop sorting bins can be connected and modified at any time. This allows you to build a sorting station perfectly suited to the location.

Take a step towards a more sustainable city

Lehtovuori offers municipalities and cities modern, functional, and stylish sorting solutions. Our solutions are not only aesthetic but also enhance waste management and improve residents' daily lives.

Is your municipality ready to meet the future challenges of waste management? At Lehtovuori, we offer solutions that not only meet legal requirements but also make our cities cleaner, smarter, and more environmentally friendly.

Contact us to plan an effective outdoor sorting solution together!