Introduction
Properly sorting waste means making a concrete choice every day in favor of the environment, quality of life, and the future of the community where we live. Through small, everyday actions, we can reduce waste, recover valuable materials, and contribute to a more sustainable and efficient system.
Net Education was also founded with the goal of making this information simpler, clearer, and more accessible to everyone. That’s why we’ve created a section dedicated to recycling, designed to help citizens, families, and students easily navigate the different materials, bins, and proper disposal methods.
Paper, plastic, glass, organic waste, and special waste each require different handling: knowing how to sort them properly helps improve resource recovery and minimize mistakes that can compromise the entire recycling process. Even seemingly simple actions, such as emptying a container or separating different materials, can make a big difference.
Learning to sort waste doesn’t just mean following rules; it means developing a greater awareness of what we consume and what we discard. Every piece of waste that is properly sorted can be transformed into a new resource, reducing our environmental impact and promoting a more responsible and circular model.
With intuitive tools, clear guidance, and educational content, Net Education aims to guide everyone on a journey marked by awareness, respect, and active participation, because sustainability begins, first and foremost, with our daily habits.
Why should we sort ORGANIC—WET—waste?
It is almost entirely used for the production of energy, biomethane, and compost for agriculture.
Proper disposal and subsequent processing at specialized facilities reduce atmospheric emissions of carbon dioxide and methane that occur when organic waste is disposed of incorrectly—for example, in the residual dry waste stream.
The portion of waste destined for sorting and composting is one of the largest and most polluting categories of waste, and implementing separate collection systems reduces the need to resort to traditional disposal methods such as incineration and landfilling;
Proper sorting of organic waste can significantly increase the overall recycling rates in your municipality!
Examples of what to bring
Fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, bread, pasta, rice, food scraps in general, coffee grounds and herbal tea leaves, tea and chamomile tea bags, napkins and paper towels with food scraps, cut flowers, cold ashes, compostable coffee pods, etc. In addition, the following packaging bearing the symbol (a triangle formed by three arrows) and the international recycling codes: PLA-7, C/PAP-87*
Examples of what NOT to bring
Any type of non-organic waste, such as packaging (paper, plastic, glass, metal), mussel and clam shells, bones, candles, food bags, hot food, liquids, diapers, sanitary pads, rags (even if wet), pet litter, inorganic materials, cigarette butts, twigs, wipes, rags, etc.
Attention
If the packaging does not specifically indicate that it should be disposed of as organic waste, it should be placed in the unsorted dry waste bin.
Why should we sort PLASTIC packaging?
Separate collection and recycling of plastic packaging enable the production of “secondary raw materials,” resulting in significant savings in energy and oil, thereby helping to reduce both pollution and the accumulation of non-biodegradable substances in the environment.
Ten recycled plastic bottles can yield enough PET to make a sweater; 20 bottles can make a fleece blanket; and 67 bottles can provide the filling for a double-sized down comforter.
“Secondary raw materials” are produced by processing plastic waste, which is sorted by type and, in some cases, even by color. This not only allows for the recovery of valuable raw materials but also fuels an industrial system capable of creating new jobs and promoting the decarbonization of industrial processes.
In Europe, plastic production is so high that traces of it can now be found in almost all natural environments. Some studies estimate that there are up to 150 million metric tons of plastic in the oceans. This includes not only large items such as bags and packaging, but also microplastics—very small particles that are extremely difficult to remove from the environment.
Examples of what to bring
All plastic wrappers and packaging, plastic bottles, containers for liquids such as shampoo, detergents, and fabric softeners, food trays and bags, clean polystyrene trays, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, polystyrene bars, shells, and “chips,” empty blister packs and rigid or molded containers, plastic crates for fruits and vegetables, fruit and vegetable nets, small pots, hangers, plastic wrap, and other plastic packaging.
In addition, packaging bearing the recycling symbol and the following international codes may be recycled: PET-01, PE-HD/HDPE-02, PVC/V-03, PE-LD/LDPE-04, PP-05, PS-06, PA, O/OTHER-07, C/LPDE-90.
Examples of what NOT to bring
Packaging that is dirty or soiled by its contents, hazardous waste containers, biodegradable bags, Tetra Pak and laminated plastic containers, rubber tubes, toys, bottles containing toxic or flammable products, aerosol cans, solvents, funnels, tableware, CD cases, toothbrushes, artificial flowers, combs, garden chairs and tables, sports and fitness equipment, watering cans, bowls, small and large polystyrene packaging, and other items that cannot be classified as plastic packaging.
Why should we sort packaging into PAPER, CARDBOARD, and TETRAPAK©?
Paper and cardboard are among the most commonly used materials for packaging, not only for creating rigid and durable containers, but especially in the food industry.
It takes about 2.5 metric tons of timber, 44,000 liters of water, and 840 kWh of energy to produce one metric ton of virgin paper. In contrast, producing one metric ton of recycled paper requires only 1,800 liters of water, resulting in enormous savings in energy and natural resources.
Recycling paper also reduces carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere: one metric ton of recycled paper can prevent up to 210 kg of CO2 equivalent.
We mustn’t forget that paper comes from trees: by recycling about 70 kg of paper, we can save an entire tree from being cut down.
Examples of what to bring
Newspapers and magazines, catalogs and phone books, flyers and advertising materials, books and notebooks, cardboard, paper bags, cardboard food boxes such as those for sugar, pasta, and rice; various cardboard boxes; Tetra Pak© or poly-laminated containers for milk, wine, and fruit juices; and clean pizza boxes free of organic residue.
In addition, packaging bearing the recycling symbol and the following international codes may be recycled: PAP/PCB-20, PAP-21, PAP-22, PPB/PBD-23, C/PAP-84, and other paper with codes ranging from 24 to 39.
Examples of what NOT to bring
Dirty paper, used napkins and tissues, wet wipes, photographs, waxed or laminated paper, laminated boxes and covers, composite materials, tax receipts, thermal paper such as sales receipts, and other materials that cannot be recycled along with paper.
DO NOT PLACE paper, cardboard, and TETRAPAK© packaging in plastic bags. Unless specifically allowed by the current collection system, this mistake requires additional processing to separate the waste, thereby increasing costs and introducing impurities into the collected material.
Why should we sort GLASS and METAL CAN packaging?
Glass is a 100% recyclable material that is durable, safe, hygienic, and resistant to degradation. Along with ferrous alloys and aluminum, it is one of the most effective examples of the circular economy.
Thanks to recycling, glass can find its way back into our homes countless times in the form of new bottles and food-grade jars. Once emptied and disposed of properly, glass packaging becomes a valuable “secondary raw material,” used to produce new containers and other items without any loss of material quality.
Glass’s perfect chemical inertness allows food and beverages to be stored while preserving their taste, aroma, and properties. It is no coincidence that most European consumers prefer glass for food storage, both for safety and health reasons and because of its lower environmental impact.
Glass is made primarily from silicon dioxide and has been used since ancient times: its earliest known uses date back about 5,000 years.
Examples of what to bring
Glass bottles, jars, vials, and their parts; glass containers (including those for medicines), provided they are empty; metal food cans; and aluminum cans and trays.
In addition, packaging bearing the recycling symbol and the following international codes may be recycled: GL-70, GL-71, GL-72, FE-40, ALU-41.
Examples of what NOT to bring
Light bulbs, ceramic plates and vases, broken crystal glasses, ceramics, crystal, porcelain, terracotta, neon tubes, mirrors, jars containing chemicals, paints, and other materials that are not compatible with glass recycling.
DO NOT place glass and tin cans in plastic bags. This mistake requires the waste to undergo additional processing to separate out impurities, increasing both the costs and the difficulty of the recycling process.
Attention
If packaging such as cylinders, spray cans, or chemical containers bears hazard symbols such as “Flammable,” “Toxic,” “Corrosive,” or “Explosive,” it must be disposed of exclusively at the municipal collection center or at authorized hazardous waste facilities.
Why should we separate GREEN WASTE FROM MOWED GRASS and SMALL PRUNINGS?
Proper disposal of grass clippings and small pruning waste is essential to the integrated waste management system, as it allows for the recovery of large quantities of organic material that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators.
By composting woody and cellulosic material, it is possible to transform this waste into a high-quality natural soil amendment that is useful for agriculture, vegetable gardens, and gardens. This is therefore not merely a reduction in waste volume, but a true resource recovery process.
The resulting compost helps improve soil fertility, prevent erosion, and promote the restoration of degraded or contaminated areas, yielding significant environmental benefits.
It is also a “zero-mile” process: the green waste collected in the municipalities served by NET is processed and reused directly in the local area.
Examples of what to bring
Prunings from private vegetable gardens and yards, grass clippings, mowed grass, leaves, debris from the removal of weeds, and small twigs originating exclusively from households.
Examples of what NOT to bring
Logs, bulky waste, and any other type of waste that does not fall under the category of household yard waste.
PLEASE NOTE: Large quantities of grass clippings and bulky branches must be taken to municipal collection centers.
Home Composting
Let’s not forget about home composting in the garden: a simple and natural practice that allows you to manage the organic portion of household waste right at home, turning it into compost that can be used in vegetable gardens, yards, and farming.
Through the composting process, food and plant waste is converted into a natural soil amendment, helping to significantly reduce the weight and volume of municipal waste.
Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells can be composted, as well as leaves, flowers, grass clippings, and small pruning trimmings from the maintenance of home gardens.
The use of a compost bin can also result in a 20% reduction in the variable portion of the waste disposal fee, in accordance with the current municipal ordinance.
Why should we sort and separate MIXED RESIDUAL SOLID WASTE from other waste categories?
It is essential to reduce the amount of unsorted residual solid waste as much as possible by carefully separating all materials that can be recycled or sent for recovery—such as organic waste, paper, plastic, glass, tin cans, and yard waste—while also adopting more mindful consumption habits.
Proper daily waste separation makes it possible to recover the various waste streams and prevent recyclable materials from ending up in the residual waste stream, which consists of the non-recyclable and non-compostable portion of municipal waste.
Residual dry waste cannot, in fact, be recycled as a material and cannot be composted. However, a portion of it is processed and utilized as CSS (secondary solid fuel) or CDR (refuse-derived fuel), while the remainder is sent for disposal in authorized landfills or for energy recovery through waste-to-energy facilities.
The NET unsorted waste treatment plant in San Giorgio di Nogaro performs mechanical waste treatment, diverting most of the material toward material and energy recovery, in line with a modern circular economy approach.
Examples of what to bring
Small ceramic objects, diapers, adult diapers, and sanitary pads, waxed or plastic-coated paper, disposable razors, audio and video cassettes, toothbrushes, pens, small funnels, polystyrene trays for seafood, polystyrene packaging in small quantities and well-compressed, pet litter, mussel and clam shells, bones, candles, rags and torn clothing, shoes, fabrics, rubber, leather, cigarette butts, and wipes.
Examples of what NOT to bring
All recyclable waste from other categories, liquid waste, hazardous waste, flammable waste, bulky items, household appliances and WEEE, large pieces of polystyrene packaging, demolition materials such as drywall and aggregate, grass and twigs, medications, batteries, paint cans, syringes, light bulbs, and other special waste.
DO NOT MIX ORGANIC WASTE WITH DRY RESIDUAL WASTE: This mistake compromises the quality of the waste, increases the amount sent to landfills, and results in a greater environmental impact and higher management costs.
Municipal Recycling Center
The Recycling Center is a facility dedicated to the drop-off of various types of sorted waste, including bulky items, that cannot be collected through the regular curbside pickup service.
At the center, you can drop off materials such as wood, twigs, grass clippings and pruning waste, metal packaging, WEEE and household appliances, fluorescent tubes, bulky items, mattresses, furniture, large pieces of polystyrene packaging, batteries, medications, cooking oils, tires, paint, and small quantities of demolition and construction materials.
If there are large quantities or particularly bulky items, waste that is normally collected through door-to-door pickup—such as organic waste, paper and cardboard, plastic, glass, and tin cans—may also be brought to the drop-off site.
Access is granted exclusively to TARI users who are duly registered and reside in the relevant municipality, unless otherwise specified by municipal regulations. In some cases, you may be required to present your Regional Services Card, Health Card, or a dedicated access badge.
It is prohibited to remove materials from the Collection Center or to dispose of waste from unauthorized production activities. To facilitate disposal operations, materials must be reduced in volume as much as possible and comply with the procedures set forth in the municipal regulations.
Please note: Access to the centers is permitted up to a maximum of 10 minutes before the closing time set by your municipality.