The goals of Italian recycling: energy savings, reduction of CO₂ emissions and economic benefits exceeding 15 billion euros

by Marco Arezio

Packaging recycling in Italy reached significant milestones in 2023 , with significant environmental and economic benefits. According to the Sustainability Report of Conai, the National Packaging Consortium, recycling has made it possible to avoid the extraction of 11.7 million tons of virgin raw materials, preventing the emission of over 10 million tons of CO₂ and saving the production of 50 terawatt hours of electricity.

These results are part of a European context where packaging waste management is crucial. In 2021, the European Union generated 188.7 kg of packaging waste per inhabitant , an increase of 10.8 kg compared to the previous year. Of this, 40.3% was paper and cardboard, while plastic and glass accounted for about 19% each. On average, each European citizen produced almost 36 kg of plastic waste, of which less than half was recycled.

In Italy, the recycling rate of waste, both special and urban, has reached 72%, exceeding the European average of 58%. As for packaging, in 2023 it is expected that 75% of the total released for consumption will be recycled, exceeding by ten percentage points the target of 65% set by the European Union for 2025.

Conai's Sustainability Report also highlights the economic benefits of packaging recycling. In 2023, the consortium's activities generated a turnover of over 3.

A significant example is the recycling of glass packaging. In 2023, 77.4% of glass packaging placed on the market in Italy was recycled, equal to 2,046,000 tons. This allowed a saving of 375,181 tons of oil equivalent and the avoidance of 2,406,989 tons of CO₂.

Packaging recycling has also made significant progress. In 2023, 70.3% of aluminum packaging placed on the market was recycled, equal to 59,300 tons, exceeding European targets ahead of schedule.

However, significant challenges remain, especially regarding plastic. In 2021, each European citizen generated on average almost 36 kg of plastic packaging waste, of which less than half was recycled. In Italy, the recycling rate of plastic packaging was 47.6%, higher than the European average but with room for improvement.

To address these challenges, it is essential to promote an environmental culture that involves the entire society, encouraging reuse practices and improving the quality of separate waste collection. Only through a collective commitment will it be possible to consolidate the results obtained and progress towards an increasingly circular and sustainable economy.

© Reproduction prohibited