In 2023, Italy made significant strides in its recycling efforts, with two-thirds (66.6%) of urban waste collected separately for recycling, according to a report by the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA).
A closer look at the data reveals a persistent north-south divide, though improvements have been noted across all regions. The north continues to lead the way, with 73.4% of its urban waste collected separately, compared to 62.3% in central Italy and 58.9% in the south. Encouragingly, the gap between northern and southern Italy has narrowed by 4.5 percentage points since the previous year.
Among Italian cities, Bologna stood out in 2023. It became the first city with a population exceeding 200,000 to surpass the EU’s 65% recycling target ahead of the 2030 deadline, achieving a 73% separate collection rate.
Italy Compared to Europe
Italy’s recycling rate positions it among the leading countries in the European Union. In 2022, the average recycling rate across the EU27 was around 48%, significantly lower than Italy’s 66.6% in 2023. Germany and Austria remain frontrunners, with rates exceeding 70%, while other countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, lag behind.
Despite its strong performance, Italy faces challenges in reducing landfill usage, which accounted for 16% of waste disposal in 2023. While this figure is lower than in many EU countries, it remains above the EU’s 2035 target of reducing landfill use to 10%.
Bridging regional disparities and addressing landfill dependency are critical for maintaining this momentum.
Read the full report (in Italian)
Whilst this show Italians abiding by the recycling law, there are still many areas in which they could improive environmentally. In Spetember, we reported that crimes against Italy’s coasts are up 30%. The green conversation remains an ongoing parley.
