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Advancing urban cleanliness
23rd of September 2026 Article by Christian Bouzols
Christian Bouzols in France on a new label promoting local authorities commited to clean spaces.
The Eco-Clean City label distinguishes local authorities that are committed to a structured and progressive approach to sustainably improve the cleanliness of their public spaces.
Created by the AVPU (Association of Cities for Urban Cleanliness), this label promotes cities that implement concrete actions to reduce dirt, improve the living environment and sustainably change behaviour in public spaces.
Urban cleanliness is a complex issue, influenced by many factors: user behaviour, available facilities, organisation of services, attractiveness of public spaces and tourist pressure. Faced with this complexity, one-off or isolated responses quickly show their limits.
This is why the Eco-Clean City label is based on a systemic approach to urban cleanliness.
The aim is not only to clean more, but to understand the causes of dirt in order to act effectively and sustainably.
This approach is based on the observation, analysis and coordinated activation of all the levers of action. The label thus supports local authorities in the implementation of a comprehensive strategy based in particular on the assessment of the level of cleanliness; the implementation of action plans; investments in equipment and organisation; communication, awareness-raising and mediation; citizen involvement; innovation and sustainable development approaches.
Sustainable results
Feedback from the local authorities involved shows that a sustainable improvement in cleanliness is possible when the approach is structured, managed over time and based on objective data.
The first analyses of cities that have obtained the fifth star show an average improvement of around 12 per cent in their level of cleanliness - confirming the benefits of a sustainable commitment to the approach.
Improving cleanliness is based on the combination of several levers of action, activated in a coherent and continuous way. It is this global approach that allows local authorities to move from a logic of reaction to a logic of management and continuous improvement.
The label therefore does not only recognise a level of cleanliness at a given time: it values the ability of a local authority to sustainably improve the cleanliness of its territory.
Five-star progression
The Eco-Clean City label is part of a logic of continuous improvement, through five levels of recognition:
One Star: Rate. Measure your level of cleanliness using Objective Cleanliness Indicators (IOPs) and benefit from a comparative analysis.
Two stars: Act. Implement a strategic action plan based on the results obtained.
Three stars: Structuring sustainably. Integrate sustainable development issues into urban cleanliness policies.
Four stars: Mobilise. Involve the inhabitants and everyone working in the area in the process of improvement.
Five stars: Excelling and innovating. Deploy a global, innovative and efficient strategy, validated in detail by a field audit.
The label allows local authorities to promote their actions and results, structure their urban cleanliness strategy, mobilise services and residents around common objectives, and be part of a national dynamic for the exchange of good practices.
More than 150 local authorities already benefit from the label. But the list of municipalities achieving the five-star rating at a national level is quite limited. Only Antibes, Le Havre, Cannes, Metz, Nice,
Niort and Saint-Brieuc have achieved it - joined this year by the most recent one promoted: Caen, in Normandy.
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