Italy: A Global Leader in Organic Waste Management

Italy has become a global leader in industrial composting, setting an example for other nations by demonstrating how well-designed policies, robust infrastructure, and community participation can lead to impressive environmental outcomes. The nation’s achievements extend beyond composting to include the successful integration of compostable bioplastics into its waste management system.

In this article, we explore the key factors driving Italy’s success, including its policy framework and infrastructure investments.

The Foundation of Italy’s Success

Italy’s composting achievements can be traced back to the Ronchi Decree of 1997, which revolutionised waste management by mandating source separation and setting stringent recycling targets. These efforts were bolstered by the country’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, which assigns producers the financial and operational responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, including waste collection and disposal.

Biorepack, established in 2020, plays a pivotal role in Italy’s EPR framework for compostable bioplastics. It is the first and only consortium in Europe dedicated exclusively to the recycling of compostable plastics.

Biorepack Driving Innovation in Compostable Plastic Recycling

Biorepack is at the forefront of innovation in the recycling of compostable plastics, with a clear vision to meet ambitious recycling targets. The organisation aims to achieve the following minimum recycling rates by weight, as a proportion of the biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging placed on the market (source):

50% by December 31, 2025
55% by December 31, 2030

Biorepack’s activities are funded through a mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) contribution, set at €130 per ton in 2024, paid by the producers of compostable plastics on the sale of each product. These funds are strategically utilised by Biorepack to:

Oversee Collection and Recycling: Biorepack manages the collection, recycling, and recovery of compostable materials through Italy’s industrial composting network. To facilitate this, it signs agreements with town councils and their contracted public or private operators. These agreements ensure efficient systems for collecting, transporting, and treating compostable packaging, with Biorepack providing financial compensation for these services.
Improve Infrastructure: The organisation invests in the development and modernisation of composting infrastructure, ensuring facilities are equipped to handle increasing volumes of compostable materials efficiently.
Support Research and Innovation: Biorepack funds research initiatives focused on developing innovative recycling methods to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of compostable plastic processing.
Educate the Public: Public awareness campaigns play a vital role in improving participation in composting programs. Biorepack’s education efforts aim to ensure consumers understand how to correctly dispose of compostable plastics, reducing contamination in the organic waste stream.

Biorepack’s efforts have already delivered remarkable outcomes, demonstrating the effectiveness of its approach:

Recycling Success: A 56.9% recycling rate was achieved in 2023, surpassing interim milestones and signaling strong progress toward future targets.
Nationwide Coverage: By September 30, 2024, 74.3% of Italian municipalities had affiliated with Biorepack, providing coverage for 84.4% of the country’s population.
Industry Collaboration: As of Spring 2024, Biorepack has 222 members who are involved in the production of biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging in Italy.

Biorepack’s innovative approach serves as a benchmark for other European Union nations. Its seamless integration of producers, municipalities, and consumers into a unified system highlights the potential of EPR frameworks to create circular economies for compostable plastics. By combining financial incentives, robust infrastructure, and public engagement, Biorepack is proving that sustainable solutions are achievable on a national scale.

A Robust Network of Composting Facilities

Italy boasts over 300 composting facilities that produce around 1.9 million tonnes of compost annually. These facilities produce high-quality compost, which is used to enrich soils, sequester carbon, and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers.

In 2023, data from Biorepack revealed that around 83% of compostable plastic packaging collected with food waste successfully enters the biological recycling process, including anaerobic digestion, composting, or both. 17% of it ends up in the reject flow.

Compostable plastics make up nearly 3% of the total food waste collected (around 5.5 million tonnes). The majority of this is packaging waste, followed by non-packaging items like liners for food waste collection. Smaller amounts include rigid packaging such as catering items (plates, cups, and cutlery) and coffee capsules.

Italy Surpasses Its 2030 Recycling Targets

Italy has already exceeded its 2025 and 2030 targets for the organic recycling of compostable bioplastics. The recycling rate, excluding rejects, reached 56.9%, with 44,338 tonnes recycled out of 77,900 tonnes placed on the market (source).

Additionally, the proportion of the population covered by agreements with municipalities or designated waste collection operators has increased by 10 percentage points from the previous year, now reaching nearly three-quarters of the Italian population.

“The 2023 results confirm how effective our work has been and demonstrate the importance of building alliances and synergies with the bodies responsible for waste collection throughout Italy. In this way we can provide better services, and above all enhance the value of compostable organic matter, a precious resource that can be returned to the soil as compost, helping to combat degradation, desertification and our dependence on chemical fertilisers,” said Biorepack president, Marco Versari.

The Role of Compostable Plastics

Italy has embraced the use of compostable bioplastics, particularly in the foodservice and packaging sectors. According to an article on BioCycle, the Italian Composting and Biogas Association (CIC) has certified over 1,000 products as compostable. These products include food packaging, coffee pods, and shopping bags that degrade within six months in industrial composting facilities.

Municipalities have integrated compostable materials into their waste collection systems, helping reduce contamination and improve compost quality. This system not only diverts organic waste from landfill but also provides a closed-loop solution for managing compostable plastics.

Environmental and Economic Impact

Italy’s composting initiatives have generated significant environmental benefits. By diverting organic waste from landfill, the country has reduced its methane emissions. A report by CIC estimates that Italy’s composting efforts prevented the release of over 1.4 million tons of CO2-equivalent emissions in 2022.

Economically, the composting sector contributes approximately €1.8 billion annually, including revenue from compost sales, gate fees, and related activities. The sector also supports thousands of jobs, ranging from waste collection to facility management and product certification.

Key Takeaways for Other Nations

Italy is currently one of the top-performing European Union (EU) member states in recycling municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in urban areas. Italy’s success story offers valuable lessons for countries aiming to improve their waste management systems:

Policy Leadership: Clear regulations, such as mandatory composting and the integration of compostable materials, provide a strong foundation for success.
Investment in Infrastructure: Building a robust network of composting facilities is critical for processing organic waste efficiently.
EPR Systems: Assigning responsibility to producers ensures accountability and funds the expansion of recycling programs.
Community Engagement: Educating the public about the benefits of composting and proper waste separation fosters widespread participation.