Italy’s Special Waste: increase the production Italy’s Special Waste Generation Exceeds 172 Million Tonnes in 2024 Italy generated more than 172 million tonnes of special waste in 2024, marking a 4.6% increase compared with 2023 (an additional 7.6 million tonnes). The rise significantly outpaced the country’s economic growth, with GDP increasing by just 0.8% over the same period. Construction and demolition activities remained the largest source of special waste, accounting for 90.4 million tonnes, or 52.5% of the national total, followed by waste treatment and remediation (23.1%) and manufacturing (15.9%). Non-hazardous waste represented 93.7% of total production, while hazardous waste reached 10.8 million tonnes, recording a 6% increase compared with the previous year. Waste generation continued to be concentrated in northern Italy, with Lombardy leading national production, followed by Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Piedmont. The report highlights encouraging progress towards a more circular economy. In 2024, 187.2 million tonnes of special waste were managed, with material recovery accounting for 74.3% of the total (139.1 million tonnes), an increase of 6.4% compared with 2023. At the same time, landfill disposal continued to decline, falling 2% compared with 2023 and nearly 24% compared with 2021. Italy imported around 7 million tonnes of special waste—mainly metal scrap from Germany and France for the steel industry—and exported 5.1 million tonnes, primarily to Germany. The national waste management network includes 10,563 treatment facilities, with Lombardy hosting almost one-fifth of the total. Commenting on the findings, ISPRA and SNPA President Maria Alessandra Gallone highlighted that, despite the challenges posed by rising waste generation and regional disparities in treatment capacity, the report confirms Italy’s steady progress towards a more circular economy, driven by increasing material recovery and outstanding recycling performance in the construction and demolition sector. https://www.isprambiente.gov.it/en/news/italy2019s-special-waste-increase-the-production https://www.isprambiente.gov.it/en/news/italy2019s-special-waste-increase-the-production/@@download/image/10512837-building-demolition-6838732_1280.jpg

Italy’s Special Waste: increase the production

Italy’s Special Waste Generation Exceeds 172 Million Tonnes in 2024

Italy generated more than 172 million tonnes of special waste in 2024, marking a 4.6% increase compared with 2023 (an additional 7.6 million tonnes). The rise significantly outpaced the country’s economic growth, with GDP increasing by just 0.8% over the same period. Construction and demolition activities remained the largest source of special waste, accounting for 90.4 million tonnes, or 52.5% of the national total, followed by waste treatment and remediation (23.1%) and manufacturing (15.9%).

Non-hazardous waste represented 93.7% of total production, while hazardous waste reached 10.8 million tonnes, recording a 6% increase compared with the previous year. Waste generation continued to be concentrated in northern Italy, with Lombardy leading national production, followed by Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Piedmont.

The report highlights encouraging progress towards a more circular economy. In 2024, 187.2 million tonnes of special waste were managed, with material recovery accounting for 74.3% of the total (139.1 million tonnes), an increase of 6.4% compared with 2023. At the same time, landfill disposal continued to decline, falling 2% compared with 2023 and nearly 24% compared with 2021.

Italy imported around 7 million tonnes of special waste—mainly metal scrap from Germany and France for the steel industry—and exported 5.1 million tonnes, primarily to Germany. The national waste management network includes 10,563 treatment facilities, with Lombardy hosting almost one-fifth of the total.

Commenting on the findings, ISPRA and SNPA President Maria Alessandra Gallone highlighted that, despite the challenges posed by rising waste generation and regional disparities in treatment capacity, the report confirms Italy’s steady progress towards a more circular economy, driven by increasing material recovery and outstanding recycling performance in the construction and demolition sector.

Focus on Individual Waste Streams: Challenges and Successes

Asbestos: The lack of a systematic decontamination programme across the country remains a major challenge. A total of 272 thousand tonnes of asbestos-containing waste was generated, representing a significant increase compared with 2023 (+13.4%).
Construction and Demolition Waste: A recycling rate of 82.4% was achieved—calculated excluding quantities of excavated soil and rocks and dredging sludge—well above the European target of 70%.
End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs): The recycling rate increased to 86.7%, exceeding the 85% target. However, the overall recovery target of 95% has not yet been achieved due to the lack of energy recovery facilities.
Waste Tyres (ELTs): A total of 495 thousand tonnes was managed. Eighty-five percent was sent for material recovery, although collection systems still need to be optimized.
Sewage Sludge: 3.1 million tonnes was generated, a 3% decrease compared with 2023. 53.7% was sent for recovery, while 44.1% was still disposed of.
Healthcare Waste: A total of 259 thousand tonnes was generated, most of which was hazardous (226 thousand tonnes, +4% compared with 2023). Disposal remained the primary management option, accounting for 73.4% of the total.
Textile and Tanning Waste: More than 551 thousand tonnes was managed, an increase of 5.9% compared with 2023. The waste stream was mainly driven by residues from the tanning industry (72.2%), while the textile sector accounted for the remaining 27.8%.

Report on Waste from economic activities - edition 2026

Report on Waste from economic activities - edition 2026 - synthesis data

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