Deposit return schemes and plastic bags in Italy (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Italy bans lightweight plastic bags unless compostable and requires the price to be shown on the receipt. The law allows deposit-return systems for drink packaging.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National deposit return scheme in operationDeposit on drinks containers | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Containers coveredDeposit on drinks containers | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Deposit per containerDeposit on drinks containers | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Plastic carrier bag rulePlastic carrier bags | Banned unless compostable, otherwise charged [1] |
| Price of plastic carrier bagsPlastic carrier bags | Bags may not be given free of charge. The unit price must appear on the receipt or invoice. No fixed amount is set in article 226-bis. [1] |
| Bag thickness rulePlastic carrier bags | Permitted reusable bags need a single-wall thickness above 100 or 200 microns (external handle) or above 60 or 100 microns (internal handle), with 10 or 30% recycled plastic, depending on use. [1] |
Notes
- Article 219-bis of Decree 152/2006 lets operators adopt deposit-return and reuse systems for plastic, glass and metal drink packaging, and leaves timing and deposit values to a ministerial decree. This page could not confirm a scheme in operation.
- Lightweight plastic bags are banned unless biodegradable and compostable. Permitted bags may not be given free. Article 226-bis does not define 'materiale leggero' in the text read.
Sources
- Normattiva: Decreto legislativo 3 aprile 2006, n. 152, art. 226-bis (Divieti di commercializzazione delle borse di plastica) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.