Italy tightens enforcement on illegal waste disposal and battery recycling

Italian courts confirm that throwing waste, cigarettes or other objects from a balcony onto a lower‑level property constitutes a serious criminal offence under article 674 of the penal code. Perjudicial conduct can lead to a conviction, civil liability for damages and possible revocation of a building administrator’s mandate if they fail to enforce condominium rules.

Separate guidance stresses that discarding used batteries in mixed waste is prohibited by national and EU regulations. Improper disposal releases heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury into soil and water, harms microbial communities and poses neurological, renal and cancer risks, especially for children. The law requires separate collection bins and free recycling services, aiming for a 73 % collection rate of portable batteries by 2030.

Both measures underscore Italy’s push to curb illicit waste practices, protect public health and enforce stricter penalties for non‑compliance.