ORGANIC MUNICIPAL WASTE RECYCLING RATE

    Descrizione 1
    Update date
    Authors

    Angelo Santini, Fabio Tatti

    Abstract
    Immagine
    Abstract

    In 2022, the ratio of recycled organic waste to separately collected organic waste was 79.9%, marking a decline compared to 2021 (80.7%) and 2020 (81.1%).

    Description

    Organic waste represents a key stream for achieving the recovery and recycling targets set by current waste management regulations. It is therefore essential to increase the amount of organic waste collected separately through more efficient waste collection systems, minimizing the volume sent to landfill. This indicator measures the ratio between the annual amount of organic waste collected separately and the amount recycled.

    Purpose

    To measure progress in circular economy policies, providing a basis for setting common long-term goals and defining new policies. This indicator is part of the core set of indicators identified by the National Strategy for Circular Economy.

    Policy relevance and utility for users
    It is of national scope or it is applicable to environmental issues at the regional level but of national relevance.
    It can describe the trend without necessarily evaluating it.
    It is simple and easy to interpret.
    It is sensitive to changes occurring in the environment and/or in human activities
    It provides a representative picture of environmental conditions, environmental pressures, and societal responses
    It provides a basis for international comparisons.
    Ha una soglia o un valore di riferimento con cui può essere confrontato
    Analytical soundness
    Be theoretically well founded in technical and scientific terms
    Presents reliability and validity of measurement and data collection methods
    Temporal comparability
    Measurability (data)
    Adequately documented and of known quality
    Updated at regular intervals in accordance with reliable procedures
    Readily available or made available at a reasonable cost/benefit ratio
    An “adequate” spatial coverage
    Main regulatory references and objectives

    For organic waste, the obligation of separate collection has been in force at the European Union level since December 31, 2023 (Article 22 of Directive 2008/98/EC). In Italy, pursuant to Article 182-ter of Legislative Decree No. 152/2006, the obligation for all municipalities came into effect on December 31, 2021.

    According to paragraph 6 of Article 182-ter, biodegradable and compostable packaging and materials certified under UNI EN 13432 are included in the organic waste collection. Regulations on organic waste and biodegradable/compostable plastic waste are important because they:

    • Significantly contribute to achieving the national target of at least 65% separate collection of municipal waste.
    • Play a crucial role in meeting the EU target for municipal waste recycling (50% by 2020, 55% thereafter).
    DPSIR
    Response
    Indicator type
    Performance (B)
    References

    ISPRA - Rapporto Rifiuti Urbani (various editions)

    Frequenza di rilevazione dei dati
    Annuale
    Fonte dei dati
    ISPRA
    Data availabilty

    I dati della raccolta su scala nazionale, per macroarea regionale, regionale, provincia e comune sono liberamente consultabili e scaricabili dal sito www.catasto-rifiuti.isprambiente.it.

    Spatial coverage

    National

    Time coverage

    2020-2022

    Processing methodology

    The indicator is calculated as the ratio of the total amount of separately collected organic waste in Italy to the amount of organic waste that is effectively recycled.

    Update frequency
    Year
    Qualità dell'informazione

    This is a nationally significant indicator that allows for international comparisons. Organic waste data is collected following standardized methodologies, ensuring comparability over time.

    State
    Undefinable
    Trend
    Steady
    State assessment/description

    In 2022, the ratio of recycled organic waste to separately collected organic waste was 79.9% (Table 1 and Figure 1).

    Trend assessment/description

    The trend has remained relatively stable since 2020. In 2022, the recycling rate was 79.9%, slightly lower than in 2021 (80.7%) and 2020 (81.1%) (Table 1 and Figure 1).

    Comments

    A comparison of the overall separate collection rate (65.2% in 2022) and the recycling rate (49.2%) for municipal waste highlights a significant gap between waste collection and material recovery. This suggests the need to focus on the quality of waste collection. For organic waste in particular, high collection quality is crucial to ensure the production of compost that meets regulatory requirements and can be marketed as a product. Furthermore, organic waste sent for recycling represents the most significant fraction of total recycled municipal waste, accounting for 41% (Table 1).

    Data
    Thumbnail
    Headline

    Figure 1: Trend of the ratio between quantities of organic waste recycled and quantities of organic waste separately collected

    Data source

    ISPRA

    Headline

    Table 1: Percentage of municipal waste separately collected and recycled

    Data source

    ISPRA

    English