The indicator measures the quantities of special waste that are intended abroad for the purposes of recovery and disposal. In 2023, the total amount of special waste exported is 5.5 million tons, of which 3.7 million tons are non-hazardous waste (67% of the total) and 1.8 million tons are dangerous waste (33% of the total). The major quantities of waste are intended for Germany and Austria, respectively about 1.2 million tons and over 700 thousand tons.

The indicator measures the total quantity of special waste started for the recovery operations (R1-R12) referred to in Annex C of Legislative Decree 152/2006. In 2023 the quantities of recovered special waste are consistent, equal to 74.1% of the total managed (178.9 million tons) and the trend is constantly growing (+1.8% in the last three years). The total amount of special waste recovered amounts to 132.6 million tons, of which 4.1 million tons are dangerous. The region with the greater quantity of special waste recovered is Lombardy (27.7%of the recovered total), followed by Veneto (10.8%) and Emilia-Romagna (8.5%).

The indicator measures the amount of special waste treated in production plants, present on the national territory, in total or partial replacement of traditional fuels. In 2023, about 1.9 million tons of special waste were recovered in coinciding systems. Compared to 2022, the recovered quantities show a slight increase (852 tons, +0.05%). The regional system framework shows that most special waste, corresponding to 77.1% of the total, is recovered in the northern regions; The regions of the Center follow with 12.6% and those of the South with 10.3%.

After the 2.1% drop observed in the previous two-year period 2021-2022, in 2023 the overall production of special waste generated by the national production system (industrial, commercial, artisanal, services, but also of waste treatment and environmental remediation) returns to increase attesting to almost 164.5 million tons (+1.9% compared to 2022, corresponding to more than 3 million tons).

Non -hazardous waste, which represent 93.8%of the total waste produced, have an increase of 2.8 million tons (+1.9%), the dangerous ones of 193 thousand tons (+1.9%).

With regard to the construction sector, the incentives arranged by the government for the renovation of the properties aimed at the energy redevelopment of buildings have continued. These construction/renovation works together with the activities of construction sites intended for the construction of infrastructure and public works and housing and commercial construction have generated more quantities of building and demolition waste.

The indicator measures the quantities of special waste that are imported for the purposes of a recovery in production activities. The special waste imported into Italy in 2023 (over 6.8 million tons) consists almost exclusively of non-hazardous waste (98.5%); The dangerous waste, in fact, is 101 thousand tons (1.5% of the total imported). The greater quantity comes from Germany, over 1.8 million tons (26.7% of the total imported), consisting almost entirely by non-hazardous waste (the dangerous waste is only 3,573 tons), purely metallic waste. Switzerland follows, with over 1 million tons (15.4% of the total), consisting mainly of earth and rock waste.

In 2023, approximately 1.1 million tons of special waste were sent for incineration, of which nearly 690 thousand tons (64.7% of the total) were non-hazardous and almost 376 thousand tons (35.3% of the total) were hazardous.

The incineration plants in operation treating such waste amounted to 74, of which 44 were located in the North, 8 in the Center, and 22 in the South.

Consistent with the distribution of the plant infrastructure, the majority of special waste was treated in plants located in the North (82.6% of the total, nearly 880 thousand tons), followed by the southern regions (15.4%, 164 thousand tons) and the central regions (2%, about 22 thousand tons).

The indicator shows the amount of special waste disposed of in landfills by category and by type of waste and the number of landfills. In 2023, the quantities of special waste overall disposed of in landfills amount to 7.9 million tons, equal to 4.4% of the total quantity of special waste managed at national level (about 179 million tons). Compared to 2022, there is a decrease of about 997 thousand tons (-11.2%), while, compared to 2021, there is a reduction of 2.3 million tons (-22.4%). The total number of operating landfills is equal to 249: 105 landfills for inert waste (42.2% of the total operating systems), 133 landfills for non -hazardous waste (53.4% ​​of the total), and 11 landfills for hazardous waste (4.4% of the total). Analyzing the three-year period 2021 - 2023, there is a progressive decrease in the total number of operational landfills ranging from 270 of 2021, to 261 in 2022 and 249 in 2023.

National municipal waste (MW) generation in 2023 amounts to approximately 29.3 million tonnes, marking a 0.7% increase (approximately +218,000 tonnes) compared to 2022.

In 2023, the preparation for re-use and recycling rate—calculated using Methodology 4 and excluding construction and demolition (C&D) waste from household sources—stood at 50.8%, thus exceeding the 50% target set for 2020.

In 2023, the ratio between the amount of organic waste recycled and the amount separately collected reached 80.9%, showing an increase compared to both 2022 (79.9%) and 2021 (80.7%).

The indicator measures the quantity of waste sent to mechanical-biological treatment (MBT), which in 2023 amounted to nearly 9 million tonnes. Compared to 2022, an increase of approximately 186,000 tonnes (+2.1%) was observed in the amount of waste treated at MBT facilities. This growth is entirely attributable to the rise in waste classified under Chapter 19 of the European Waste Catalogue (EWC)—waste from waste management facilities, off-site wastewater treatment plants, and water supply treatment for industrial use—originating from the treatment of municipal waste. In contrast, the quantity of mixed (unsorted) municipal waste treated decreased by 1.7% (124,000 tonnes).

Nel 2023, la percentuale di raccolta differenziata è pari al 66,6% della produzione nazionale (29,3 milioni di tonnellate) (+1,4 punti percentuali rispetto al 2022), mantenendosi al di sopra dell’obiettivo fissato dalla normativa per il 2012 (65%).

The indicator measures the quantity of waste sent for biological treatment, specifically composting, integrated anaerobic/aerobic treatment, and anaerobic digestion. In 2023, the total amount of waste recovered through biological treatment processes (8.7 million tonnes) shows an increase of approximately 392 thousand tonnes (+4.7%) compared to 2022. A similar trend is observed for the share of organic waste from separate collection, which increased from approximately 6.7 million tonnes to 6.9 million tonnes, showing a growth of 250 thousand tonnes (+3.8%).

The indicator measures the national average cost borne by municipalities to provide urban sanitation services, expressed per capita and per kilogram of municipal waste generated. In 2023, the average annual management cost was €197.0 per inhabitant and €0.398 per kilogram of municipal waste produced.

At the macro-regional level, the highest annual per capita service cost was recorded in Central Italy, amounting to €233.6 per inhabitant (€0.437/kg), followed by Southern Italy at €211.4 per inhabitant (€0.464/kg), and Northern Italy at €173.3 per inhabitant (€0.345/kg).

In 2023, the quantity of municipal waste incinerated—including Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), dry fraction, and bio-dried material derived from municipal waste treatment—amounted to 5.5 million tonnes, marking a 4% increase compared to 2022. Of this total, 72.7% was processed in Northern Italy, 9.1% in Central Italy, and 18.2% in the South.

The incineration infrastructure is predominantly concentrated in the North, which hosts 25 operational plants, whereas the Central and Southern regions operate 5 and 6 facilities, respectively.

In 2023, the total amount of municipal waste disposed of in landfills amounted to approximately 4.6 million tonnes, with 112 landfill facilities in operation nationwide. Compared to 2022, this represents a 10.8% reduction in the total quantity of municipal waste landfilled (equivalent to -559,000 tonnes) and a 4.3% decrease in the number of operational sites (-5 facilities).

In 2023, the Italian economy experienced a more moderate growth compared to previous years, with the Gross Domestic Product and Final Consumption Expenditure on the national territory increasing by 0.7% and 0.4%, respectively, compared to 2022. Municipal waste generation showed a slight increase (+0.7%) following a 1.8% decline recorded over the previous two-year period (2021–2022).

The indicator is useful for monitoring progress toward a circular economy, allowing for the identification of the quantities of materials reintroduced into the economy following waste treatment. Compared to the total amount of waste sent for recovery and disposal operations, more than three-quarters of the treated waste is recycled, placing Italy among the countries with the highest recycling rates.

Driven by EU policies, the management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) has become a key aspect of waste management within the circular economy framework, especially concerning the supply of Critical Raw Materials. Unlike general waste, WEEE contains both hazardous substances and valuable materials. Legislative measures aim to protect the environment and human health by preventing or reducing negative impacts from the design, production, and disposal of electrical and electronic equipment.
The recycling industry plays a crucial role in the transition to a circular economy, enabling the reintegration of recovered materials into production cycles, improving resource efficiency, promoting sustainable development, and reducing the need for raw material imports. In 2022, the total collected WEEE amounted to approximately 534,000 tonnes, with a preparation for reuse and recycling rate of 83.7% and an overall recovery rate of 89.1%.

Construction and demolition waste represents, in absolute terms, the most significant flow of special waste produced both at the European and national levels. The construction sector, through its intensive use of natural resources, has a strong impact on the environment, leading to the depletion of raw materials due to the extraction of natural aggregates.

For this reason, the European Commission has prioritized the monitoring of construction and demolition waste flows, setting a specific target for reuse preparation, recycling, and other material recovery operations, including backfilling, under Article 11 of Directive 2008/98/EC on waste.

In 2022, the recovery and recycling rate for construction and demolition waste stood at 79.8%, exceeding the 70% target set for 2020 by Directive 2008/98/EC. 

The indicator evaluates the pressures on the environment and the efficiency of resources used by the economy to generate wealth, as well as its progress toward achieving a circular economy. In 2022, the ratio of national waste production to gross domestic product (GDP) was slightly above the European average (66 kg/1,000€ vs. 60 kg/1,000€). Overall, the economic system still appears unable to limit waste production in relation to the wealth produced. 

The analysis of data for 2022 shows a decrease in the quantities recycled/recovered compared to the previous year. The reasons can be attributed to the decline in the number of annual deregistrations certified by the P.R.A. Register of the Ministry of Transport, the international situation that caused delays in the supply of raw materials for automobile manufacturing, and the resulting crisis in the sector, with significant delays in both production and delivery. Overall, the supply chain achieves a reuse and recycling rate of 86% of the vehicle's average weight, exceeding the 85% target set for 2015 by Article 7, paragraph 2 of Legislative Decree 209/2003. 

European regulations set ambitious recycling targets for 2025 and 2030 for packaging waste, which represents one of the main monitored waste flows. The packaging waste recycling rate, calculated as the ratio between the amount of waste recycled and the amount of waste produced, tracks progress toward a circular economy by assessing the reintegration of materials into industrial cycles as secondary raw materials. To ensure uniform measurement conditions for the new targets based on the actual quantity of packaging waste reprocessed to create new products, materials, or substances, stringent calculation methodologies have been defined at the European level. With the application of the new methodologies, the targets set for 2025 have already been reached for all packaging fractions, except for plastics. To increase recycling rates, one of the action lines is the development of new treatment technologies, especially for those types of waste that are currently difficult to recover through mechanical processes.