From 1 January 2022, separate collection of food waste will become mandatory in all Italian municipalities

From 1 January 2022, separate collection of food waste will become mandatory in all Italian municipalities: organic waste will have to be collected separately from other types of waste. EN 13432-certified biodegradable and compostable packaging must also be collected together with food waste, so it can all be transformed into compost: in particular bioplastic carrier bags, but also fruit and vegetable packaging, plates, glasses and disposable tableware made of compostable material. This is required by Article 182-ter of Legislative Decree 152/2006, which incorporates into Italian law European Directive 2018/851 on waste.

This requirements comes into force fully two years before a similar commitment due to be introduced across the rest of the EU at the beginning of 2024. The regulation requires Italian municipalities to set up a separate collection service for food waste, to be implemented using reusable containers or compostable bags made from materials certified according to UNI EN 13432-2002.

The standard on the collection of organic waste and biodegradable and compostable plastic, introduced by the European directive and implemented early in Italy, is important because:

- it makes a further contribution to achieving the overall target for separate collection which, it should be recalled, should be at least 65% of municipal waste.

- it helps reach the target for the recycling of biodegradable and compostable plastic of at least 50% by 31 December 2025.

In addition, the positive environmental contribution of increased compost production through increased collection of food waste should not be underestimated; Italy sits towards the top of the European league table, with capacity to compost over 7 million tonnes, second only to Germany.