Some disposable packaging intended for the Italian market will have to comply with new environmental requirements and can only be marketed if biodegradable, compostable and certified as such.
The news comes with a legislative decree approved on August 4, which modifies the Environmental Code by introducing the obligation of compostability for some specific categories of packaging. The measure thus anticipates the application of the new possibilities provided by the European Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR), in force from 12 August 2026.
In fact, European legislation allows Member States equipped with adequate systems for the collection and treatment of the organic fraction to provide, for some types of packaging, compostability requirements instead of recyclability.
Which packaging should be compostable
The obligation will not concern all packaging, but only some categories considered particularly suitable to be managed together with organic waste. The government statement reads:
The obligation concerns packaging used for the packaging of fresh fruit and vegetables, in the restaurant and catering sector, for food single portions and in the hospitality sector.
In more detail, the news concerns:
The objective is to promote more effective management of the organic fraction, allowing certain packaging to be treated together with organic waste in composting systems, when designed and certified for this purpose.
The measure also aims to support the Italian compostable bioplastics supply chain, a sector already highly developed in our country, and the companies that use these materials for their packaging.
The new rule does not mean a general farewell to single-use plastic: it will only concern some categories of packaging. In fact, the majority of packaging will continue to have to comply with European recyclability requirements, while the compostability obligation will only be triggered for products identified by legislation and in contexts in which adequate organic management systems exist.
When will the new rules come into force?
The decree-law will come into force with its publication in the Official Journal and must be converted into law within 60 days. The new rules will therefore apply after completion of the process foreseen for the decree-laws.
