How does separate waste collection work in Rome? Everything you need to know

Separating waste correctly is essential to ensure recycling and reduce environmental impact. But how exactly does separate waste collection work in Rome?

Here’s everything you need to know about sorting waste correctly and contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for the capital.

Collection systems: door-to-door and kerbside

In Rome, there are two main separate waste collection systems:

• Door to door: in many neighbourhoods, waste is collected directly from homes. Residents receive specific containers for each type of waste (organic, paper, plastic, glass, general waste) and follow a weekly collection schedule.
• Kerbside: in some areas, there are different coloured street bins, each one for a specific category of waste.

What to separate and where to dispose of it

Here is an overview of the main materials that need to be separated and the corresponding bins:

• Organic (brown): food scraps, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea filters, dirty paper napkins.
• Paper (blue): newspapers, magazines, cardboard boxes, paper packaging, tetrapaks.
• Plastic (yellow): plastic bottles, detergent bottles, food trays, plastic bags, polystyrene.
• Glass (green): glass bottles, glass jars, drinking glasses.
• Mixed (grey): everything that can’t be recycled in the other bins.

It’s very important to remember that some materials require specific collection:

• Bulky items: furniture, household appliances, mattresses. These should be taken to the AMA Collection Centres or a home collection can be booked.
• Special waste: expired medicines, used batteries, used vegetable oils. These should be disposed of in the special containers found in pharmacies, supermarkets or at the Collection Centres.

The starter kit and collection calendars

AMA, the municipal waste management company in Rome, provides each user with a starter kit containing the containers needed for separate waste collection. In addition, you can consult the specific collection calendars for each neighbourhood on the AMA website or on the ‘Il Rifiutologo’ app.

The rules and penalties

Separate waste collection in Rome is regulated by EU, national and local laws. Failure to comply with the rules can result in fines of up to 500 euros.

It is therefore important to:

• use the correct containers for each type of waste;
• respect collection days and times;
• never leave waste on public land (once abandoned, it can no longer be recycled).

Useful tips for proper recycling

Here are some suggestions:

• Reduce volume: crush plastic bottles, cans and cardboard boxes to save space in the bins;
• Clean packaging: remove food residues from packaging before throwing it in the plastic or organic bin;
• Separate materials: do not throw different materials in the same bin.
• Stay informed: consult the AMA website or the ‘Il Rifiutologo’ app for clarification on how to sort waste correctly.

Sorting waste correctly in Rome is not only an obligation, but also a gesture of responsibility towards the environment and future generations.

Article translated by Jasmina Towers

Tag

Sustainability

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