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The purpose of this paper is to depict how a method of high collection and recycling rates can be easily achieved in communal solid waste management. The implementation of such a strategy means tremendous strain relief for the budget of municipalities and the environment.

An integrated approach to communal solid waste management is outlined which makes it possible to achieve recycling rates of up to 69 per cent. “Integrated” refers to the integration of different aspects of sustainability, the adjustment of the conception to the habitat scale and the co‐operation with different stakeholders such as citizens and domiciled companies.

The paper gives two examples of integrated plans of communal waste management. The strategy of the City of Graz is presented, as well as the conception of the Slovene City of Maribor. In Graz, public information on measures of waste prevention and separate collection by waste advisors, and companies' training within ECOPROFIT, as well as an intelligent collection and recycling system ensure that 69 per cent of the total arising waste can be recycled and only 14 per cent of the arising waste has to be deposited. In Maribor, the total waste going into landfill in 2014 can be reduced by 71 per cent (i.e. 71 per cent of the predicted total waste in 2014) if changes in the system are made.

The paper describes a new method elaborated by Cleaner Production Center Austria which shows how municipalities can improve the local environment and at the same time save money by implementing a clever solid waste management strategy.