In 2024, urban waste production will exceed 2,6 million tons, a 1% increase that reverses the trend despite the population decline. Legambiente has awarded 121 "Waste Free" municipalities and warns that prevention efforts must be accelerated to avoid undermining progress.
Naples – Campania is experiencing a reversal in waste management: after years of containment, urban waste production is rising again, reaching 2.616.342 tons in 2024, a 1,02% increase over the previous year.
This figure is in stark contrast to the regional population decline, bringing the per capita waste to 469 kg, a full 6 kg more than in 2023. According to Legambiente's annual report on "Comuni Ricicloni," this increase could signal a slight rebound in consumption or a loosening of prevention policies, in a context where the circular economy is struggling to fully take off in the South.
Despite the decline in overall quantity, separate waste collection continues to consolidate its position as a strong point: the region reaches 58,05%, a leap of 1,47 percentage points from 2023. This result places Campania among the best-performing regions in southern Italy, although still far from the standards of Northern Italy, where averages above 70% are the norm.
"This is encouraging progress, but it's not enough: we must push for environmental education and incentives to reduce waste at the source," the report analyzes, highlighting how the North-South gap persists due to obsolete infrastructure and bureaucratic delays. Among the successes are the 121 "Waste Free" municipalities, a recognition awarded by Legambiente to those administrations where recycling exceeds 65% and per capita dry waste does not exceed 75 kg annually.
These are virtuous models that demonstrate how, with door-to-door collection systems and awareness campaigns, it is possible to minimize landfill or incineration waste. The number of "Recycling Municipalities" is also growing: 340 have exceeded the legal threshold of 65% recycling, compared to 323 in 2023, demonstrating a widespread commitment that is establishing good practices throughout the region.
At the provincial level, the Benevento ATO remains the undisputed leader with a 73,30% separate waste collection rate, thanks to a consolidated network of facilities and public-private partnerships. Salerno follows at 67,99% and Avellino at 62,21%, both with stable and mature performances. Napoli 3 stands at 62,88%, while Caserta records the most significant improvement, rising to 59,16%.
Naples 2 (54,69%) and especially Naples 1 are struggling the most, although they are growing, reaching only 45,31%, penalized by urban challenges such as population density and logistics. Among the provincial capitals, Salerno stands out with 74,16%, placing it among the top Italian cities for environmental efficiency. Avellino (63,22%) and Benevento (62,98%) exceed the regional average, Caserta rises to 62%, but Naples remains at the bottom of the list with 44,38% – a step forward compared to the past, but still insufficient to reach the national target of 65% by 2035, as set out in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
These data, compiled by Legambiente on the basis of ISPRA and ARPAC, not only provide a snapshot of the current state of the art, but also raise alarm about future implications: with increased production, there is a risk of overloading already overstretched facilities, such as stir-fries and residual landfills, exacerbating environmental and health problems. Furthermore, with a view to ecological transition, Campania could lose opportunities for European funding if it does not accelerate waste reduction and the circular economy, transforming waste into resources for sectors such as agriculture and industry.
"For decades, Campania's recycling municipalities and leading companies in the sector have been piloting European-level experiences, demonstrating that sustainability is not a utopia, but a concrete opportunity for development," comments Mariateresa Imparato, president of Legambiente Campania.
"Today is the time to build on and strengthen the leap forward our region has made in waste management, investing in innovation and prevention to avoid going backward." The report calls on institutions to focus on integrated strategies: from expanding door-to-door collection to reuse centers, and including incentives for those who perform well. In a year marked by global climate emergencies, Campania has the opportunity to transform itself from a "land of fires" into a model of environmental resilience, but time is running out: without decisive action, increased waste could erode hard-won gains.
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