Ecomondo 2026: Junior Mini and Easy NR, innovation that evolves with cities

Cities are changing, and so are the needs of separate collection. Urban space is ever more valuable, while safety, sustainability and efficiency have become essential to running the service. At Ecomondo 2026 Nord Engineering presents two solutions that embody this change: Junior Mini, designed to become part of the street furniture, and Easy NR, the AI-powered evolution of the automated collection system.

The new Junior Mini container combines functionality and design to help make cities cleaner and more sustainable. Made of 100% recyclable steel and built to last, it needs no inner bin or bag and can be installed on its own or in modules to create flexible collection points with high aesthetic value.

Small in size and large in capacity, Junior Mini makes everyday use simpler. The drawer with ergonomic handle and soft opening and closing makes disposal easier, while the vandal-proof pedal protects one of the most exposed components. The rounded anti-dumping top and the design without sharp edges keep the area tidy and clean. A lock with separate management for users, operators and the service provider makes it possible to set different access modes.

Safety is part of the construction concept. During lifting, a mechanism keeps the bottom door closed, allowing it to open only above the vehicle body. On top of this, an exclusive patented system tensions the internal mechanics in the event of vandalism or accidents, preventing the door from opening and the waste from spilling. Invisible steel stops fixed to the ground prevent the container from slipping and help put it back in the right position.

Junior Mini can be customised with different disposal openings, graphic layouts, controlled access systems, fill-level sensors and raised pictograms for the visually impaired. The exclusive F-90 device, a hallmark of Nord Engineering containers, ensures a secure connection to the Easy bilateral lifting system.

And the evolution of Easy, Easy NR, will be the other star of this Ecomondo. With Easy NR, the container “empties itself” thanks to artificial intelligence, data analysis and advanced sensors. The entire emptying cycle is automated and managed from the cab through a new-generation console, without the operator having to leave the vehicle. Among other things, the system enables automatic container recognition and virtualisation of the work area. The data collected also support route planning, the optimisation of operations and lower costs and environmental impact.

Junior Mini and Easy NR thus express two needs of today’s city: integrating collection better into urban spaces and making the service ever more sustainable and smart. Two different solutions, united by the same idea of innovation.