Enhancing Biowaste Management Through Knowledge Management: A Cross-national Comparison of six European Countries

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines how knowledge management (KM) supports the implementation of separate biowaste collection across governance levels in six European countries in the context of the EU requirements effective from 1.1.2024. Methodology: Within the CITISYSTEM project, two comparable data collection rounds (2023 and 2025) were carried out by eight partners using a structured questionnaire and follow-up clarifications, enabling a cross-national and longitudinal comparison at national, regional, and city levels. Findings: The results show convergence in regulatory direction (separate collection, quality improvement, and alignment with circular economy goals) but an uneven pace of implementation. Clear policy and operational progress within the two-year window was most visible in Lahti and Mechelen at the city level, and in Flanders and Catalonia at the regional level, while other cases show incremental or no recorded change. Contribution: By specifying where KM-enabled practices (e.g., cross-level coordination, indicators/data reporting, digital tools, and citizen engagement) are most evident, the study offers a comparative view of how learning and knowledge sharing can accelerate compliance and system performance in multi-level biowaste governance.