Municipal solid waste composition and efficiency of separate collection: A case study in Italy

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is evolving globally, transitioning from urban hygiene service to an industrial sector dedicated to waste recovery and recycling. However, the MSW recycling rate in Europe remains below 50 %, with only 49 % of total waste recycled in 2021. Effective and technically feasible short- and medium-term plans are needed to meet set targets. This study aims to characterize MSW composition in Tuscany, Italy, using a standardized and updated procedure. All collected fractions, including the residual waste component, were analysed to provide an overall balance of waste produced and assess the separate collection efficiency. Biodegradable organic material was the largest category identified, although it remained below 30 %, placing it in the lower range of values reported in the literature. Paper and cardboard comprised the second-largest category (21.3 %), followed by plastics (16.3 %). When comparing collection models, the door-to-door method proved more effective than street-bin collection, significantly reducing impurities across all separately collected fractions. More than 50 % of residual waste consisted of recoverable materials, indicating the need for greater public engagement. Metals and plastics, despite having well-established recovery circuits, showed the lowest capture efficiency within separate collection systems. A redesign of the extended producer responsibility scheme could enhance their capture rate, as it currently limits accepted items to packaging. Introducing dedicated collection and recovery channels for textiles and diapers (about 15 % of MSW) could further reduce “residual waste” to a truly residual fraction.