Pneumatic garbage collection is a garbage collection system that absorbs garbage that is placed in a type of mailbox on the street or downspout of buildings[1]​[2]​ and transports it through pipes to its destination by means of a vacuum. This system should not be confused with underground containers for municipal solid waste (MSW), visually very similar but with traditional containers directly under the dumping gates.[3]​[4]​.

The user of an automated collection system only sees a mailbox where they put the garbage, close the door and operate a lever to make room for the next user. Under each mailbox there is a container and the automatic system empties it from time to time. Despite using several mailboxes, all the garbage goes through the same tube. However, it remains classified because only garbage of the same type (organic, paper and cardboard, packaging, etc.) is collected simultaneously.

There are two collection systems:

The mobile phone is more suitable for small population groups far from the reception point (e.g. chalet developments) and the landline for areas with a large population concentration (e.g. town centre).

In some cases it is cheaper, however it is less energy efficient than trucks. In any case, its suitability depends on the type of population. With a high concentration of users and high volumes of waste, the advantages favor the automatic system.