Per capita municipal solid waste generated in Italy 2010-2018

In Italy, the amount of waste generated per capita decreased over time. More specifically, the amount of municipal solid waste produced by Italian citizens steadily decreased between 2010 and 2015, when it reached an all-time low of 486.7 kilograms per inhabitant. In 2018, the quantity of waste reached 500 kilograms per capita.  

Regional distribution of waste generation

In 2018, Emilia-Romagna was the region with the greatest quantity of municipal solid waste generated per inhabitant. The volume of waste produced in the region reached 660.5 kilograms per capita during the considered year. Tuscany followed with 612.4 kilograms per capita.  

Waste sorting and disposal

Over the past few years, the volume of waste subjected to sorted collection considerably increased, from approximately 12.5 million tons in 2013 to roughly 17.5 million tons in 2018. Veneto was the most virtuous region in terms of waste collection processes, as to that it was the region with the greatest share of waste subjected to sorted collection. As regards waste disposal, in 2017, almost one third of municipal solid waste was intended for material recovery, whereas 22 percent was sent to landfills.