Milan expands waste‑separation programmes with municipal and retail textile collection pilots

The City of Milan, together with waste‑management firm Amsa and municipal officials, launched the third edition of the “Un sacco et(n)ico” programme in Municipio 9. Assessora Elena Grandi, President of Municipio 9 Anita Pirovano and Amsa CEO Marcello Milani met with about 200 local merchants to promote correct waste sorting, distribute multilingual brochures and encourage reduced food waste and cleaner public spaces.

In parallel, the municipality confirmed the start of the Retex Re‑Store pilot, a textile‑recycling service that turns participating clothing stores into drop‑off points for used garments, shoes and accessories. The initiative, a partnership of the city, Amsa, the Retex Green consortium and the social cooperative Vesti Solidale, began in July with no purchase requirement. It includes digital tracking of collected items and aims to extend the model nationally, improving Milan’s overall recycling rate of 63 %.

Both projects illustrate Milan’s push for a circular economy through public‑private collaboration and direct engagement with businesses and residents.