Italy

Waste information

The country produced 29 million tonnes of solid waste in 2020, or ±1.3 kg/day per capita, falling just below the EU average of 1.42 kg/day per capita. In 2021, 56% of Italy’s total MSW was reprocessed, of which 30% was recycled. Italy has a highly developed capacity for reprocessing, with the average Italian living within 20km of a reprocessing facility. The country places significant focus on the materials allowed within the national market, limiting materials that are difficult to reprocess. The country’s total MSW breakdown in was estimated to be:

• 34% Organic waste
• 8% Glass
• 12% Mixed plastics
• 23% Paper & Cardboard
• 4% Metal

Legislative background

The first significant consolidation of legislation regarding the management and recycling of packaging waste in Italy took place in 1997 with the passing of the Ronchi Decree. The decree implemented early European Commission directives concerning the recycling and management of waste, and established national producer obligations, recycling targets, and a national packaging consortium, CONAI (Italian: Consorzio Nazionale Imballaggi).

Legislative Decree no. 152/2006 is the primary legislation regulating environmental management in Italy
Legislative Decree no. 116/2020 transposed the EU WFD 2018/851 and its EPR requirements in Italy
Legislative Decree no. 196/2021 implemented the European Single-Use Plastic Directive (SUPD) in Italy

Legislative Decree No. 152/2006, or the ECA (Environmental Consolidated Act) (Italian: Norme in materia ambientale), is the primary legislation regulating environmental management in Italy. This legislation regroups several different environmental laws under one decree and covers several topics, including eco-modulation and the collection, transport, recovery, and disposal of waste in Italy. Additionally, manufacturers and importers of packaged products are responsible under the ECA for ensuring that their packaging is designed and produced in a way that minimises waste and environmental impact.

Legislative Decree No. 116/2020 moved the EU Revised Waste Framework Directive 2018/851 and its Extended Producer Responsibility requirements into Italian law. The legislative decree described several new registration requirements for producers, alongside strict labelling requirements. The decree also establishes the CONAI Environmental Contribution.

Legislative Decree No. 196/2021 implemented the European Single-Use Plastic Directive (SUPD) and imposed return obligations on plastic bottles. However, the Italian incorporation of the SUPD is not fully aligned with the European Directive. The decree delays the ban on prohibited single-use plastics requested by the European Commission and exempts biodegradable and compostable materials alongside a less direct definition of plastic, which excludes low weight plastic coatings.

The European Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against Italy for failing to fully and accurately transpose the SUPD. The inclusion of exemptions for "biodegradable and compostable" plastics, not covered under the EU directive, has led to Italy’s non-compliance with both the SUPD and the Single Market Transparency Directive (2015/1535/EU).

Country-specific information on the PPWR will become available after the Regulation is voted into force. Current information can be found in our European Overview.

Extended Producer Responsibility (or relevant 3rd parties)

CONAI, the Italian national packaging consortium (Consorzio Nationale Imballaggi), is responsible for the implementation of EPR. It unifies the otherwise autonomous administrative regions in Italy, ensuring that materials collected via separate waste collection are fully reprocessed according to national standards. Producers and direct users of packaging are required to join the consortium, which oversees the prevention, recovery, and recycling of materials such as plastic, paper and cardboard, glass, aluminium, steel, and wood.

The authority to levy the CONAI Environmental Contribution was granted to CONAI by Decree No. 116/2020. These fees are associated with the use of packaging materials and support the costs related to separate waste collection and reprocessing. The fees are distributed to producers and users of packaging in proportion to the amounts and values of packaging materials present on the national market.

A distinctive aspect of the CONAI contribution is that the fees are imposed on converters rather than brands. This approach reduces the number of individual companies subject to these charges and streamlines the monitoring of packaging across the Italian national market.

EPR fees and calculation

Household packaging

The current calculation methodology for the CONAI Environmental Contribution is based on the characteristics of packaging materials. For metal, glass, paper and plastic packaging waste, CONAI has established a number of classifications which determine the amount of contribution required to be paid.

CONAI has historically updated their required environmental contribution figures on a bi-annual basis. The currently applicable rates have changed since a significant decrease in July of 2022.

For materials marked with an asterisk (*), a supplementary fee must be paid. This is described in sections 2.1 and 2.2.

Both paper and plastic are subject to varying contributions, and are divided into classifications derived from their composition:

*Subject to a supplementary fee

Example calculations of packaging formats

CIRCPACK uses standardised packaging formats to provide estimated calculations of eco-modulated fees and taxes in markets where applicable. These formats are as follows:

• Rigid packaging example: PET bottle with PP cap and PE label
• Flexible packaging example: PE/EVOH multilayer pouch with PP spout and direct print label
• Beverage carton example: Paper/Aluminium/PE multilayer carton with bio-based PP cap
• Laminated paper example: Paper pastry bag with PLA window

CONAI requires secondary and tertiary packaging to be accounted for under its eco-modulation scheme.

Example packaging format:
Rigid polymer bottle with tethered cap and filmic label

Example packaging format:
Flexible spouted multilayer pouch

Example packaging format:
Multilayer beverage carton with tethered biodegradable cap

Example packaging format:
Pastry bag with biodegradable window

Industrial packaging

Italy’s EPR law distinguishes between industrial/commercial waste and household waste. Industrial waste falls under the "special waste" category, while household waste is classified as "urban waste." Producers and PROs must declare these categories separately. CONAI’s fee structure for plastic packaging waste differs based on its origin, with separate rates for household waste (categories B and C) and industrial/commercial waste (category A).
Industrial and commercial packaging waste producers may choose to join CONAI or set up their own collection and recycling system.

Thresholds

CONAI has made reporting threshold information available from 2013 and allows for contribution exemptions via two mechanisms:

1. A total required environmental contribution of less than €200, or
2. the total weight of packaging placed on the market, whether empty, filled, or imported, under a certain amount per material.

For material groups marked with an asterisk (*), a declaration must still be submitted if a threshold of 10 tonnes of packaging placed on the market is reached, regardless of whether the environmental contribution is to be paid.

Bonuses

No direct bonus schemes related to the recyclability of packaging are offered in Italy.

Recyclable packaging is nationally incentivised by supplementary fees and raised environmental contributions for packaging which is difficult to reprocess.

Other fees or taxes in place?

All producers and users of packaging within the Italian market are required to join CONAI and pay a membership fee. This fee comprises a fixed amount of €5.16, plus a variable component for companies with total revenues exceeding €500,000. The variable fee is determined by specific membership categories and is capped at €100,000.

A definition of producers and users, membership categories, and exemptions for foreign companies can be found in the CONAI Guide to Membership.

On April 2, 2024, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security issued a decree providing a 36% tax credit for expenses related to the purchase of recycled plastic products and biodegradable, compostable packaging materials. Detailed in the official gazette on May 21, 2024, this tax credit is applicable for the fiscal years 2023 and 2024, with a cap of €20,000 per year. To qualify, companies must be established, registered, and actively conducting business in Italy, and must not be undergoing any liquidation or insolvency proceedings. The decree outlines the qualifying conditions, regulates eligible expenses, and specifies the technical requirements and certifications needed to access the credit.

Single Use Plastics

Italy’s Plastic Tax, introduced in the 2020 Budget Law, has faced multiple postponements. Originally scheduled for implementation on July 1, 2024, the Italian Senate has deferred the start date to July 1, 2026. This delay marks the seventh extension of the tax’s effective date.

The tax applies a charge of €0.45 per kilogram on single-use plastic items composed of synthetic polymers. Targeted products include a range of single-use items such as bags, bottles, caps, food containers, and packaging materials, designed to contain, protect, handle, or deliver goods or food. These products are collectively referred to as "MACSI" in Italy, encompassing:

• Manufactured devices used for sealing, marketing, or presentation, made from materials including plastic, paper, cardboard, and metal.
• Semi-finished products partly comprised of plastic, used in the production of MACSI.
• Products formed by molding PET into bottles or containers via a blowing process.

Recycled plastic materials are exempt from this tax. Additionally, the tax is not levied if the total amount due is less than €25 per quarter. Specific exemptions are also provided for MACSI intended for prolonged use. Entities must register and submit quarterly filings, with penalties for non-compliance ranging from €250 to €2,500.

For further details on legislation regarding bans on single-use plastics, please refer to Section 1.2 Legislative Background.

Who pays?

Registered producers and users of packaging are required to pay the CONAI Environmental Contribution. Definitions of producers and users are available in the CONAI Guide to Membership.

Plastic Tax on Single-Use Plastics (SUPs)

The obligation to pay the tax on SUPs arises when the product is made available for consumption within Italian territory, as defined by law.

The plastic tax applies to activities involving the production, intra-community acquisition, and importation of non-recyclable and non-reusable plastic containers. The liability and the taxpayer responsible for the plastic tax vary depending on the context:

• For MACSI produced domestically, the tax is due from the manufacturer at the time of supply to other national entities.
• For MACSI from other EU countries, the tax is due from the buyer at the time of purchase within the national territory for economic activities, or from the seller at the time of transfer to a consumer.
• For MACSI from non-EU countries, the tax is due from the importer at the time of definitive importation into the national territory.

Additionally, an entity that produces MACSI using previously taxed MACSI, without adding other plastic materials, is not considered a manufacturer under this tax regime.

Collection activities

• White/Brown Paper or organic waste
• Green Household mixed waste or recyclables
• Blue Plastics and metal cans
• Yellow Residual mixed waste or recyclables
• Black Glass or residual waste

The collection of municipal and segregated waste in Italy is managed at the municipal or ’comune’ level, with practices varying significantly across different areas. Generally, municipalities are responsible for ensuring waste collection, while local or national consortia manage the retrieval of reprocessable materials.

In most communes, segregated collections are in place for various materials including plastic packaging, metal (both ferrous and non-ferrous), paper and cardboard, glass, and mixed recyclables. Kerbside collection and drop-off points are prevalent throughout the country, complemented by bottle banks and communal containers in certain regions. There is no national standard for bin colours, though certain colours are commonly used.

In 2022, Italy achieved over 65% of differentiated urban waste collection, though regional disparities are notable: over 70% in the North, around 61.5% in the Central regions, and about 57.5% in the South. Larger urban areas, particularly in the South, often exhibit lower rates. Regions like Veneto and Lombardy exceed 70%, while Sicily, Lazio, and Calabria have rates just above 50%.

Under a framework agreement with the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI), the National Packaging Consortium (CONAI) has initiated projects to enhance the quality of segregated waste collection for recycling, focusing particularly on southern metropolitan areas that are lagging in their recycling efforts. Targeting major cities such as Rome, Naples, Bari, Palermo, Catania, Messina, and Reggio Calabria, which collectively house nearly 19 million residents, the initiative includes an initial investment of close to one million euros.

The allowed and disallowed items in Italian bins are as follows:

Labelling requirements

Under Legislative Decree 116/2020, new obligations have been set for packaging producers to align with EU-wide legislations. These changes are primarily focused on enhancing the transparency and efficiency of recycling processes through improved packaging labels.

Each component of packaging that can be manually separated must include the following information:

• According to EU Decision 129/97/EC, every piece of packaging must clearly display its material identification code to facilitate correct recycling practices.
• Labels should specify the appropriate collection method based on the primary material of the packaging.
• If the main material by weight isn’t already indicated, the label should state "Separate collection" and prompt consumers to refer to local guidelines for specific disposal instructions.

Additionally, CONAI recommends that a full description of the type of packaging and the various components which can be separated by hand is included on the outer packaging.

Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)

Italy does not currently have a Deposit Return Scheme in place.

The National Association of Virtuous Municipalities (Italian: Associazione Comuni Virtuosi) has called for the introduction of a national DRS scheme, and the concept is widely supported by italian citizens.

Sorting activities

In Italy, the management of waste material flows is handled by private consortium companies that specialise in specific materials. These organisations are pivotal in managing their respective material waste flows using technically advanced and automated mechanical operations.

The Italian waste management system strongly emphasises pre-collection waste sorting, achieved through the implementation of separate collection programmes in cities and towns across the country. This method results in a high degree of material purity and reduces the need for further sorting and processing. Eventually, sorted materials are sent to reprocessing centres, represented by sector groups within the country.

Glass

glass sorting is a mature process in Italy

The Glass Recovery Consortium (Italian: Consorzio Recupero Vetro, CoReVe) has direct contracts with sorting facilities and auction systems to sort and sell glass waste packaging materials to markets. This consortium collaborates with 24 producers, 40 importers, 38 fillers, and 7 recovery organisations to ensure effective collection, sorting, and recycling of glass.

Due to the commingled collection of various glass colours in Italy, effective sorting is crucial for the efficient transfer of the material to reprocessing systems. This is accomplished using modern mechanical processes, including air separators and sieve drums.

Metals

metal sorting is a mature process in Italy

The management of metals is categorised into ferrous and non-ferrous. Ferrous metals, such as steel, are magnetic and can be separated using powerful magnets. Non-ferrous metals, commonly aluminium in household packaging, are sorted using other methods, such as eddy-current separators. Over 500 affiliated entities are involved in this process in Italy.

The National Aluminum Packaging Consortium (Italian: Consorzio Nazionale Imballaggi Alluminio, CIAL) manages most of the metal sorting and comprises 250 companies and 441 affiliated entities handling the collection, treatment, and reprocessing of aluminium.

RICREA, the National Consortium for the Recycling and Recovery of Steel Packaging (Italian: Consorzio Nazionale per il Riciclo e il Recupero degli Imballaggi in Acciaio), oversees the collection, treatment, and reprocessing of steel, with 317 companies subscribing to the consortium.

Waste is sorted between ferrous and non-ferrous materials by these organisations and sent to local reprocessors.

Paper and cardboard

Paper and cardboard sorting is a mature process in Italy

The separate collection of paper and cardboard often allows these materials to be taken directly to a paper recycler for processing, where any remaining metals and plastics are separated. Waste management companies and municipalities strive to reduce contamination in household paper to meet the quality requirements set by the reprocessor. The sorting process adheres to the EN643 standard for different grades of paper and cardboard.

The National Consortium for the Recovery and Recycling of Cellulose-based Packaging (Italian: Consorzio Nazionale Recupero e Riciclo degli Imballaggi a base Cellulosica, COMIECO) manages cardboard and paper. This organisation comprises 3,330 companies, including mills, producers, converters, and importers of paper and cardboard for packaging.

COMIECO ensures that paper flows move from collection to sorting facilities and later to reprocessing facilities, which are either internally recognised or members of associated unions such as the UNIRIMA, representing 600 plants with a production capacity of 7 million tonnes of waste paper annually.

Beverage cartons

beverage sorting is a mature process in Italy

In Italy, the recycling of beverage cartons utilises sophisticated Near Infrared (NIR) technology, supplemented by limited manual sorting across various collection streams including PMD (Plastics, Metals, and Drink cartons) and paper. These cartons are transported to various MRFs where they are compressed into bales and subsequently sent to mills to serve as raw materials. At these mills, Near Infrared (NIR) technology, supplemented by limited manual sorting, efficiently separates paper fibres from the cartons’ plastic and metal coatings.

Italy is home to approximately 100 sorting facilities, each with an average capacity of around 25,000 tonnes, collectively managing about 3 million tonnes of waste destined for sorting annually. Notable facilities include Hera SpA in Granarolo, which processes 100,000 tonnes of waste per year and serves various provinces from its headquarters in Bologna. Iren S.p.A, located near Turin, sorts 17 types of polymers and plastics and has a facility constructed at a cost of 45 million euros with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes per year. In Pomezia, Ecosystem S.p.A operates a facility capable of sorting 50,000 tonnes per year, handling plastic, fibre, and metals over an area of 80,000 square metres. Lastly, SERUSO S.p.A in Lombardy processes waste for about 1.2 million citizens and has a capacity of 42,000 tonnes per year, having been recently renovated in 2022 to meet growing demand.

Plastics

plastics sorting is a mature process in Italy

COREPLA, the National Consortium for the Collection, Recycling and Recovery of Plastic Packaging (Italian: Consorzio Nazionale per la raccolta, il riciclo e il recupero degli imballaggi in plastica), manages the plastic waste stream with approximately 2,500 participating companies. This consortium connects upstream and downstream stakeholders to ensure an efficient marketplace.

COREPLA is responsible for sorting and selling plastic packaging waste by polymer type, adhering to strict European standards. The targeted materials for sorting and recycling include clear PET bottles, blue PET bottles, PET bottles of other colours, HDPE bottles, LDPE films, crates for fruit and vegetables (not managed by Corepla), and mixed packaging consisting mainly of rigid and flexible PE and PP.

IREN has recently inaugurated an advanced plastic waste sorting facility near Turin in April 2024. The plant employs cutting-edge technology to identify and sort 17 different types of polymers and plastics. Designed to maximize recycling efficiency, the facility can process and prepare up to 80% of incoming waste for recycling. Representing a €45 million investment, it has the capacity to manage 100,000 tonnes of plastic annually.

Reprocessing activities

Italy has developed an extensive reprocessing capacity, with such a number of facilities that the average Italian is always within 17km of a reprocessing plant. These are registered to CONAI and the respective consortia to which the material they reprocess applies. Italian waste reprocessing systems are one of the most effective in Europe and are focused on reducing landfill usage and maximising the potential for recycling and energy recovery.

After waste is sorted at waste management facilities, it is transported to either recycling facilities or energy recovery facilities for further processing. Recycling facilities use advanced technologies to convert waste into new products, while energy recovery facilities utilise the high caloric value of residual municipal solid waste to generate energy. The participation of facilities across different materials is diverse and can involve partnerships between public and private entities. This integrated approach to waste management helps to reduce the environmental impact of waste and promote sustainable use of resources.

Glass

glass reprocessing is a mature process in Italy

As with collection and sorting, the Glass Recovery Consortium, (Italian: Consorzio Recupero Vetro), CoReVe, is responsible for and has direct contracts with reprocessing facilities and auction systems to sell recycled glass cullet to markets. The consortium works with 7 recovery organisations to ensure that glass waste is effectively recycled.

Sorted glass is cleaned and crushed into small pieces, called cullet, by these organisations. This cullet is melted down and formed into new glass products. By separating the glass into clear, green, and other streams before sending it to reprocessors, a higher-quality recycled product is produced. The recycling of glass conserves raw materials and energy, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to producing new glass from raw materials.

In 2022, CoReVe reported a glass recycling rate of 80.8%.

Metals

metal reprocessing is a mature process in Italy

CiAL recycled 52,900 tonnes of aluminium packaging in 2021, representing 78,400 tonnes sold on the market, alongside 3,700 tonnes of thin packaging destined for waste-to-energy treatment. Ferrous metal packaging is processed into scrap materials suitable for melting and recycling; Aluminium packaging is crushed and further cleaned to produce scrap ready for melting.

Steel recycling is managed by RICREA, who reported recycling 72% of the steel packaging that was released for consumption in the Italian market. The consortium reported that 542,263 packaging items were placed on the market in 2022, of which 463,865 were collected and 389,828 were recycled.

Paper and cardboard

Paper and cardboard reprocessing is a mature process in Italy

In 2021, COMIECO, responsible for the management and reprocessing of cellulose-based packaging, reported that paper and cardboard packaging had a recovery rate of 91% and recycled 85% of paper and cardboard packaging that was put on the market. A small amount was rejected due to contamination, which was sent to WtE.

After sorting, paper and cardboard are recycled into new products at recycling facilities using pulping and de-inking processes. They are separated into different grades based on quality to ensure similar quality in the recycled products. The discrepancy between recovered and recycled materials is related to contamination and limited separation of collection in specific regions of the country.

Beverage cartons

beverage reprocessing is a mature process in Italy

Italy boasts a developed recycling infrastructure for beverage cartons, featuring multiple specialised mills. There are two main methods utilised in the recycling of beverage cartons: the wet method and the dry method. The wet method focuses on extracting cellulose fibres from the cartons, while the dry method is used to separate aluminium from polyethylene components.

In Diecimo, the Lucart S.p.A. facility produces a variety of tissue paper products, including toilet paper, kitchen towels, napkins, and hand towels. These are manufactured from both virgin cellulose and recycled used beverage cartons. The facility has an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes and is equipped with two gas turbine-powered combined heat and power (CHP) units, alongside a fully integrated water treatment plant. EcoPlasteam, situated in Spinetta Marengo, is recognised as Europe’s first large-scale operational recycler of polyAl. The facility uses a proprietary process to cleanse paper rejects of impurities and contaminants. The cleaned materials, comprising polyolefins and aluminium, are then converted into EcoAllene, a patented product.

Plastics

plastics reprocessing is a developing process in Italy

In 2022, COREPLA recycled 727,481 tonnes of plastic waste, marking a 0.73% increase from 2021. The majority of this material, over 95%, was sourced from urban collections, while 4.78% came from commerce and industry sectors.

The approximate breakdown by polymer was as follows:

Once sorted, plastic is taken to specialised recycling centres where it is transformed into new plastic items, usually made from Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) pellets. The worth of these pellets is closely tied to the quality of the feedstock and the success of the plastic recycling process is closely tied to the efficient sorting of different types of polymers.

Further expanding its recycling infrastructure, Italy is set to open its first industrial-scale advanced recycling facility. This initiative is a collaboration between BlueAlp and Recupero Etico Sostenibile (RES). Located next to RES’s existing facilities in Pettoranello del Molise, the plant will process 20,000 tonnes of mixed plastic waste annually. It will employ BlueAlp’s patented pyrolysis technology to specifically treat plastics that are unsuitable for mechanical recycling, converting them into pyrolysis oil. This oil can replace raw materials in the production of virgin plastics and in the chemical and petrochemical industries. The facility is scheduled to be operational by mid-2026.

National results

For European countries, CIRCPACK provides two standardised reprocessing results in order to give an overview on potential data discrepancies caused by varying data sources and calculation methodologies:

1. Eurostat data, which covers all packaging placed on the market and is calculated with a 22 month delay.
2. Nationally reported data, which is assembled by CONAI (Consorzio Nationale Imballaggi).

Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) results

Italy does not currently have a Deposit Return Scheme in place.