Temporary, high-density environments such as festivals can place significant pressure on waste collection and management. Large numbers of visitors, rapidly changing waste volumes and limited on-site resources can make it difficult to monitor bins and organise collection efficiently.

ZERO-FEST addresses this challenge through a 5G-enabled smart waste management solution developed and validated at the ENVELOPE Greek Trial Site.

The solution brings together connected smart bins, AI-based waste classification and ENVELOPE’s advanced 5G capabilities and APIs. By combining these technologies, ZERO-FEST enables waste-related information to be monitored in real time, providing a clearer picture of conditions across the event area.

Smart bins act as connected points within the system, while AI supports the classification of waste and the interpretation of collected data. ENVELOPE’s connectivity capabilities provide the underlying communication environment needed to exchange this information efficiently and support continuous monitoring.

This approach can help organisers better understand where and when waste is accumulating, allowing resources and collection activities to be managed more effectively. In temporary environments, where conditions can change quickly, access to real-time information can support faster and more informed operational decisions.

At the ENVELOPE Greek Trial Site, by validating ZERO-FEST, the project demonstrates how advanced connectivity and intelligent digital solutions can support applications beyond traditional mobility use cases. The demonstration also highlights the wider potential of 5G-enabled infrastructure to support smarter, more responsive and data-driven services in complex real-world environments.

ZERO-FEST provides a practical example of how connectivity, AI and smart infrastructure can work together to improve waste management while contributing to more efficient and sustainable event operations.