Italy’s 2025 recycling rate tops 77% as paper‑cardboard collection climbs

In 2025 Italy recycled 10.97 million tonnes of packaging, reaching a 77.3 % recycling rate – the highest in Europe, according to the CONAI general report. Paper and cardboard achieved a 92.6 % recovery rate (4.6 million t), while glass, steel, aluminium and wood also posted strong results. Regional data show that the Marche region collected 103 000 t of paper and cardboard (69.6 kg per capita), a slight 1.1 % drop from 2024, and Abruzzo gathered more than 74 000 t (58.4 kg per capita), both above the national average. Municipalities across the country are facing a near‑6 % increase in the waste tax (TARI) for 2026, raising household bills by about €8, while the overall recycling share fell to 68.9 % in some areas. To combat litter, towns such as Ravello have installed AI‑enabled surveillance cameras that can identify illegal waste dumps and issue fines. Other localities, including Senorbì, are considering video‑surveillance to deter trash‑throwing. Meanwhile, the national “Rottamazione quinquies” scheme, which allows households to settle old local tax debts at a discount, is being debated, with some regions opting in and others, like Rome and Milan, staying out. These developments highlight both progress in material recovery and growing fiscal pressures on Italian households.