This paper presents solutions for efficient and technologically advanced waste management in cities and urban areas. The first chapter deals with the topic of establishing a waste management system using the concept of a smart city, with special emphasis on the organization of the vehicle fleet with the previous examples of technological solutions. The collection of waste by quantity and the organization of waste collection in urban centers has been processed through many examples and projects in which I have participated. The second part of the paper presents the principle of a modern recycling center, with special chapters dealing with recycling yards, useful waste sorting plants and composting plants. The second chapter presents the technological solution of equipment that can be implemented in smaller recycling centers, with an emphasis on biowaste treatment at smaller composting plants. The third chapter presents modern technologies for efficient waste management in all fields, and this especially refers to the control of waste quantities, mobile applications for citizens, energy efficiency options for waste treatment and public cleanliness technology. The goal of this paper was to show technological solutions for efficient waste management in urban areas, because I believe that the waste management system in Croatia is insufficiently developed and technologically outdated. In this paper, I have shown the most important sectors for successful waste management and presented the equipment and modern concepts developed in the world for efficient waste management, which can be applied in Croatia with emphasis on the coastline and the problems arising from the load of waste management systems in tourist season.