CONAI has prepared an information note to help companies navigate the legislation currently in force in Italy, the outlook of the new European framework, and the operational management of the forthcoming adjustments.

In 2024, Italy recycled 76.7% of the packaging placed on the market – around 10.7 million tonnes out of a total of over 13.95 million tonnes. This marks an increase of about one percentage point compared to 2023, when the amount of recycled packaging was just under 10.5 million tonnes.

CONAI, following a series of cost increases related to the collection of packaging waste, amid general inflation, and the simultaneous reduction in revenues from the sale of post-consumption packaging reported by the CIAL, COMIECO and COREPLA Consortia, has assessed the scenario of the corresponding recycling chains - worsened beyond expectations - and seen a reduction in the capital reserves of the three Consortia.

CONAI: deposit return system may not be the most efficient way to reach future recycling targets in a 73,3% recycling rate country like Italy.

A study by Bocconi and the Wuppertal Institut, promoted by CONAI and supported by Expra, presented in Brussels: "Screening the efficiency of packaging waste in Europe". Italy? Recycle more and at lower costs.

CONAI published the “Specific Plan for the Prevention and Management of Packaging and Packaging Waste”.

The CONAI Board of Directors has resolved a further reduction of the Environmental Contribution (or CAC) for paper and cardboard and almost all plastic packaging, starting from 2022.

From 1 January 2022, the Contribution for steel will decrease to € 12/tonne, the one for aluminium to € 10/tonne and the one for glass to € 33/tonne. Plastic divided into five levels based on recyclability and the costs of collection, sorting and recycling costs: lower values for four, unchanged for one.

As from 1 July, it will be reduced from EUR 55 to 25/tonne, with a saving for paper and cardboard packaging users of over 135 million Euros. In 2022, on the other hand, contribution diversification will be extended to packaging in composite material, different from those for liquids.