Collection

What can be disposed of with food waste: instructions for use

01

Choose carefully what to put in the food waste

Food waste accounts for almost 40% of all separate waste collection. Since 1 January 2022, it has been mandatory in all Italian municipalities to collect food waste separately, together with biodegradable plastic packaging, as stipulated in the Consolidated Environmental Law. 

 

Food waste is part of organic waste with high water content. It mainly consists of food scraps, and more specifically, all types of waste that can decay. 

 

How to recycle food waste at home? Separate collection and specific treatment of food waste avoids sources of pollution (leachate liquids in the soil and water, and biogas in the atmosphere) while being kept separate from other household waste, through separate collection in suitable bins and compostable bags, enables the production of compost that can be used as a nutrient for soil regeneration.

02

How to collect organic waste

Organic waste should be collected in compostable bags certified to EN 13432, such as bioplastic bags: they should not be overfilled to prevent them from splitting. Bins lined with compostable plastic bags for collecting food waste, called caddies, should be vented to ensure proper aeration. This enables food waste to be collected in the home without producing unpleasant odours. Only adequate ventilation ensures that the degradation process is not triggered and prevents the formation of organic liquids at the bottom, thereby substantially reducing the formation of odours and the proliferation of insects. 

 


Separately-collected organic waste is taken to composting or anaerobic digestion plants, where it decomposes through a controlled process to become compost that can be used in agriculture and horticulture as an alternative to chemical fertilisers.

Questions?

  • Kitchen scraps, food leftovers
  • Small bones, fruit and vegetable scraps
  • Wooden ice cream sticks
  • Coffee grounds and tea filters (read the packaging carefully)
  • Spoiled and expired foods
  • Corks
  • Vegetable remains, therefore plants, flowers, grass, but in small quantities
  • Paper napkins soiled with food
  • Excrement from small animals
  • Packaging, tableware, cutlery and disposable glasses in biodegradable and compostable plastic certified EN 13432
  • Pet litter (unless biodegradable)
  • Food wrapping paper (waxed, plasticized or foiled)
  • Diapers and sanitary napkins
  • Cigarette butts
  • Dust or other materials from household cleaning
  • Vacuum cleaner bags
  • Tissues
  • Painted wood
  • Disease plants
  • Plastic, glass, metals

Every year, the organic recycling of compostable bioplastic packaging located throughout the country

Produce over 2 million tons of compost per year.

Store 375,000 tons of organic carbon in the soil.

Save 4.3 million tons/year of carbon.

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