Sicily paper and cardboard recycling reaches 254,351 tonnes in 2025

In 2025 Sicily collected 254,351 tonnes of paper and cardboard, a 5.8% rise over 2024 and representing about 70% of the region's total separated waste. The figures come from the 31st annual report of Comieco, the national consortium for cellulose‑based packaging recovery. Provincial totals varied: Catania led with over 60,000 tonnes, Palermo added more than 4,100 tonnes compared with the previous year, while Ragusa achieved the highest per‑capita rate at 69.7 kg per inhabitant. Agrigento lagged, collecting just over 17,400 tonnes (42.7 kg per capita), below the regional and national averages. Comieco recycled roughly 179,000 tonnes of cellulose material and paid economic compensation exceeding €15.8 million to 352 participating municipalities. Roberto Di Molfetta, Comieco’s general director, highlighted Sicily’s role in boosting South Italy’s collection rates but stressed the need to improve quality by reducing foreign fragments in the waste stream.