Separate waste collection in Milan, how to do it correctly: everything you need to know

Separate waste collection is an essential service for keeping the city clean and promoting the recycling of materials.

In Milan, the separate waste collection system is a ‘door to door’ service. To ensure the correct recovery and recycling of waste, it is essential to separate the materials correctly and place them in the appropriate containers.

Below is a short guide with all the information you need to carry out separate waste collection in Milan.

Transparent neutral bag: residual waste

All waste that cannot be recycled should be placed in the transparent neutral bag. This waste is collected on a weekly basis.

Yellow bag: plastic and metal

The following should be collected in the yellow bag:

• bottles;
• plastic bottles and bags;
• polystyrene food trays;
• metal food tins and jars;
• drink cans.

This waste is also collected on a weekly basis.

Green or grey bin with a green lid: glass only

Glass bottles, jars and pots must be disposed of in green or grey bins with a green lid. These bins are emptied on a weekly basis.

White or grey bin with a blue lid: paper and cardboard

Newspapers, magazines, books, notebooks, cardboard boxes, cardboard packaging and drinks cartons (tetrapak) should be placed in the white or grey bin with a blue lid. These bins are also emptied weekly.

Brown or grey bin with a brown lid: organic waste/household waste

The following should be disposed of in the brown or grey bins with a brown lid:

• fruit scraps;
• vegetables;
• meat or fish;
• food leftovers;
• rice;
• bread;
• biscuits;
• pasta and starchy foods.

This waste is collected twice a week.

Changes to the bins

The bins recently made available to new users or to replace older ones have been made from 98% recycled material. They are all dark grey with coloured lids to indicate the type of waste to be placed in them:

• Paper: blue lid
• Glass: green lid
• Organic waste: brown lid

For plastic and metal, you must always use the transparent yellow bag, while for general waste you must use the grey one.

Waste collection times

Waste collection in Milan mainly takes place in the morning. In the centre, near the centre and in the streets leading into the city, waste must be put out on the scheduled collection day between 5.00 and 5.40 in the morning (on Saturdays from 6.00 to 6.50).

The bins must be removed from inside properties/condominiums by 10 a.m. In the outer areas of the city, the time for placing waste out is from 7 to 8 a.m., with the bins to be removed by 1 p.m.

Useful advice for separate waste collection

• Polystyrene packaging: this should be placed in the plastic recycling bin.
• Pizza boxes: if greasy or with food residues, they should be disposed of with the general waste. Otherwise, in the paper and cardboard bins.
• Tetrapaks: these should be disposed of in the paper and cardboard recycling bins.

In order to have the necessary information on separate waste collection at your fingertips, you can consult the online manual ‘Dove lo butto’ (Where do I throw it away?) by selecting your municipality. The PULIamo app also offers updated calendars on collection methods, as well as providing all the information you need for proper waste management.

Article translated by Jasmina Towers

Tag

Sustainability

Subscribe to our newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with our latest news Subscribe with your email address to receive the latest news, updates and practical tips from the real estate world directly in your inbox

Subscribe