Materials, identification symbols, best practices, challenges: everything you need to know about waste sorting, the foundation of recycling, reuse and circularity.
There is recycling, a practice in which Italy is fortunately among the world's leading countries, particularly for iron, wood and packaging. Then there is reuse, on which the European Union is placing a great deal of emphasis. At the root of everything, however, is waste sorting: a crucial practice in waste management, as it makes it possible to separate recyclable materials from non-recyclable ones, promoting a sustainable approach to waste management. In this article, we will explore the importance of waste sorting, recyclable materials, how it is managed in Italian cities and the virtuous projects currently under way.
We consume resources and produce ever greater quantities of waste that we do not know how to manage adequately and correctly. The Earth, however, is an ecosystem that has already worked out how to dispose of what is no longer needed, naturally. What has completed its life cycle is transformed into a new resource, into a new form of life. It is a virtuous circle from which we must learn in order to live in harmony with nature and the environment. It all starts with waste sorting, which, as noted, should not be confused with recycling and reuse — processes that happen subsequently, when the collected waste is treated by processing facilities — nor with the circular economy, which is instead a development model that aims to reduce the quantity of raw materials fed into the system.
Waste sorting is a process by which waste is separated according to its material composition — such as paper, plastic, glass and organic matter — to allow its correct recycling and reuse. This approach reduces the quantity of waste sent to landfill and promotes the circularity of materials. Through waste sorting, discards are divided according to the material they are made of, making it possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, waste and the exploitation of natural resources.
There is no single national regulation in Italy governing how waste sorting should be carried out, because depending on the collection and disposal facilities available in each individual area, collection can be organised in slightly different ways. As a rule, it is therefore Italian municipalities that provide residents with precise guidance on how to dispose of their waste correctly. Some rules may vary depending on the municipality of residence, but there are standardised practices that are important to follow.
Milan has launched innovative projects to improve waste sorting, such as the promotion of home composting and the establishment of free exchange areas for second-hand goods. In addition, the city has implemented smart waste monitoring systems to optimise collection operations. In 2021, Milan's waste sorting rate exceeded 63 per cent. The waste collection service operates via a door-to-door system, collecting directly from residents' homes. The main types of waste collected include:
Sorted waste (paper, plastic and glass) collected separately is sent to specialist recycling facilities. Unsorted waste is sent to the Silla2 waste-to-energy plant, located in the north-western part of the city, near Figino.
Rome has introduced awareness campaigns to increase participation in waste sorting, which currently stands at 43.8 per cent (mainly paper and cardboard) — midway among Italy's major cities — and has implemented new technologies to improve the efficiency of the recycling process. Projects such as the promotion of biodegradable containers for organic waste and the installation of smart glass collection containers are under way. Waste sorting in Rome operates both door-to-door — in a structured manner with a weekly calendar, but only in certain neighbourhoods, or by appointment for bulky items — and via street collection, in the majority of cases. There is also an extensive network of recycling points where residents can drop off special waste directly, such as furniture, household appliances and batteries.
Turin stands out for its use of innovative technologies in waste management, such as the deployment of smart sensors in bins to monitor fill levels and optimise collection operations. In addition, the city actively promotes the adoption of waste reduction practices through awareness campaigns and environmental education.
Waste sorting in Turin is active across the whole city in two different ways: kerbside collection, through bins of different sizes and colours depending on the type of collection active in one's area, or door-to-door collection. In addition, plastic is usually collected in bags, except in buildings with more than 15 households, where a bin is nonetheless provided. For other waste, particularly hazardous waste, 7 recycling centres are in operation across the city. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of sharing with citizens the responsibility of acting — even in small daily gestures — for a cleaner, healthier environment.
Waste sorting in Naples is a matter of great importance. The aim is to minimise the production of unsorted waste to be disposed of in landfills or incinerators. Following the various "rubbish crises" recorded in past years, Naples has stepped up its efforts to improve waste management, with particular attention to waste sorting. The city has implemented environmental education programmes in schools and established new door-to-door waste sorting services in various parts of the city, with clear benefits such as improvements to urban decorum and energy savings. Currently, waste sorting in Naples stands at 37.6 per cent: ten years ago, it was just 18.4 per cent. The average is still below acceptable levels, partly due to poor sorting quality, but the improvements are significant.
Florence is committed to more sustainable waste management through awareness and environmental education projects. The city has launched initiatives to encourage the recycling and reuse of materials, such as promoting the purchase of recycled products and creating spaces for exchanging second-hand goods. Waste sorting is part of the "Firenze Città Circolare" project, the city's new waste plan. The main objectives are to improve citizens' informed participation, harness technology through an A-Pass electronic key system to facilitate correct waste sorting, and establish specific collection points for bulky waste, electronics, expired medicines and waste oils. In this way, Florence aims to achieve a waste sorting rate above 70 per cent by 2024.
Bologna has set itself the ambitious goal of becoming a zero-waste city by 2030. The city is implementing innovative policies to promote waste sorting and reduce the production of non-recyclable waste, such as establishing repair and recycling centres for goods and introducing incentives for the adoption of sustainable practices. In 2022, the waste sorting rate in Bologna reached 63 per cent, a notable improvement compared to 39 per cent in 2013. From July 2013, in the centre of Bologna, the municipality decided to reintroduce 282 bins for paper and 281 bins for plastic in place of door-to-door collection, with the sole aim of eliminating rubbish bags outside building entrances in an area — that of the Portici — which had recently been added to the Unesco World Heritage list.
Genoa faces unique challenges related to waste management, especially with regard to marine pollution. The city is working to improve waste sorting and reduce the environmental impact on the seas through awareness projects and monitoring of coastal areas. The municipality is making progress in waste sorting, contributing to environmental sustainability: at the end of 2022, the sorted waste rate reached 43 per cent, with peaks of up to 55 at the new bilateral waste deposit stations, a system of next-generation waste sorting bins with greater capacity and a shape and features designed to prevent unauthorised dumping. The containers are also covered front and back with infographics providing guidance on the correct disposal of waste. A wide-ranging renewal that will also involve the use of next-generation vehicles.
Palermo is investing in green economy projects and environmental awareness initiatives to improve waste management and increase waste sorting rates. The city promotes the adoption of sustainable practices through environmental education programmes and the creation of parks and green spaces. However, it is important to note that the waste sorting rate in Palermo remains relatively low. In 2022, the municipality of Palermo achieved only 16 per cent sorted waste, while the province of Palermo as a whole achieved only 36 per cent.
Venice is committed to environmentally responsible waste management, focusing on waste sorting and reducing environmental impact. The city promotes the adoption of sustainable practices through awareness programmes and the introduction of incentives for the use of recyclable materials. The municipality ranks first in Italy for the production of municipal waste: 558 kilograms per person in 2022. Yet it is also, according to Ispra data, the second Italian city for waste sorting, at 73.2 per cent. However, in the historic centre and on the islands, this figure drops sharply, precisely because of the territory's unique configuration, which makes collection more complex.
Catania is working to improve its waste management infrastructure and raise awareness of waste sorting among its citizens. The city has launched awareness and envir
