Only use compostable bags for organic waste.
kom-pos-TAH-bi-le — five syllables; stress the third.
Use this as an instruction or reminder for anyone new to Italian waste management. It is one of the most important rules to follow, and using normal plastic bags in the umido bin can invalidate the entire collection.
Compostable bags certified to EN 13432 are mandatory for organic waste collection in most Italian municipalities. They break down in industrial composting conditions within 90 days. Standard plastic bags — even thin shopping bags — are not compostable and must never be used for umido. They contaminate the compost product.
I sacchetti verdi sono compostabili, quelli neri no.
The green bags are compostable, the black ones are not.
Simple colour cue; compostable bags are often green or white.
Cerca il simbolo del germoglio sulle buste.
Look for the seedling symbol on the bags.
The Seedling certification mark (EN 13432) is printed on compostable products.
In farmacia vendono sacchettini compostabili a basso costo.
Pharmacies sell low-cost compostable bags.
Practical buying tip; also available at supermarkets and hardware stores.
Italy was the first country in the world to require compostable bags for organic waste collection at a national level, under Law 28 December 2015, n. 221. This drove rapid growth in Italy's bioplastics industry — today Italy is Europe's leading producer of compostable packaging, with companies like Novamont pioneering the sector.