Background Collection of municipal solid waste is usually performed by diesel-fuelled rear loaders. While collecting waste at pick-up-sites, the vehicle engine continues to run, causing noise and emitting exhaust gases. Only 40% of the loader’s working hours are used for the transportation of waste: The remaining 60% of the time, the vehicle is just standing still, emitting fumes and noise while the waste is collected. Within the EU, it is estimated that noise is increasingly having a negative effect on the health and quality of life of 25% of the EU’s population. As waste collection commonly takes place between six o’clock in the morning and nine o’clock in the evening, it affects people for most of the day. Furthermore, air pollution is one of the EU’s major environmental problems. There are an estimated 83,000 rear loaders used for waste collection in the Community. Over the course of the year, these vehicles emit approximately 46,480 t NOx, 498 t PM, 2490 t HC, 2490 t CO and 1,992,000 t CO2. Objectives The project aimed to introduce an environmentally friendly and cost effective approach for waste collection that efficiently reduced noise, fuel consumption and emissions of NOx, PM, HC, CO, CO2 and CH4. To do this, it was to perform a full-scale demonstration of the CLEANOWA system, which uses CNG-fuelled (compressed natural gas) eco-engines for vehicles engaged in waste collection. The project expected a 50% reduction in noise emissions, 50% in NOx, 98% in PM, 80% in HC, 90% in CO and 20% in CO2. The project was also to widely disseminate its methodology and results on a European scale by targetting groups private and municipal waste management companies, associations and authorities. Results In general, the project has been successful and reached its main objectives. The hybrid technology used is already fairly well-known and not leading edge, but has not previously been applied in waste collection vehicles. The Eco-vehicles have been fully functional for 2.5 years and have shown to be reliable, effective and energy-efficient in densely populated areas. However, the emission reduction goals were only met with regard to CO2 in comparison with the CNG vehicle and with regard to NOx and CO in comparison with the diesel vehicle. Nevertheless, significant improvements were achieved in seven out of ten parameters (CO, CO2, HC, NOx, particulate matter). Considerable noise reduction (c. 50%) was also achieved. Fuel consumption was reduced about 20 to 40%. By using SmartRoute planning, the distances the vehicles travel were also shortened, which also had a positive effect on the environment. Dissemination has been successful, with three companies in Sweden and Finland having adopted the concept. Beyond this, it has been widely presented to local stakeholders in western Sweden. Large producer companies (Mercedes, Bestufs) have shown interest in the technology and it has spread to other application areas. Economically, the project so far suggests that the presented technology is competitive in comparison to traditional vehicles: the Eco-vehicle is only slightly more expensive - the main additional cost is simply the result of the original investment being higher at this stage of a small production scale. Social effects include improved working conditions for drivers. They are less exposed to the exhaust and noise and better able to observe the traffic when not disturbed by noise from their own vehicle.