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This paper aims to evaluate the extent to which current Italian legislation has been able to achieve the goals set for separate waste collection within the context of the ongoing revision of European Union (EU) policy. In Italy waste management is regulated by Legislative Decree 152/2006, which has set the main regulatory pillars: the responsibilities among the actors at different territorial levels (regions, provinces and municipalities); the waste tariff structure; penalties and incentives, such as the “landfill tax” and “green certificates” to promote energy recovery. Focussing on separate collection of municipal waste, the Italian law set three targets to achieve: 35% by 2006; 45% 2008, and 65% by 2012. We propose a two-step analysis focussing on 103 Italian provinces, using the longitudinal data provided by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) for the period 1999–2011. First, using the transition probability matrix, we analyse the transition probabilities among three different separate waste collection states (low, medium and high). Second, by using a generalised ordered probit model, we verify the magnitude and significance of the parameter associated to the Legislative Decree 152/2006 and of some other selected variables in allowing provinces to move from a low separate collection state to a higher one. Our results show that the Legislative Decree has had the positive effect of driving Italy's provinces towards higher separate waste collection rates, but has not proved effective in lowering the gap among provinces: those in southern Italy remain the least dynamic. Finally, we show that citizen participation in ecological associations and voluntary activities has a positive effect on separate collection rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the European Union, which is increasingly oriented towards environmentally sustainable development, separate waste collection plays a crucial role. Over the years, the EU has produced several guidelines, programmes and directives aimed to build a green society and tone down the differences between, as well as within, Member States. In Italy, the waste management system is currently regulated by Legislative Decree 152/2006, through which European directives have been incorporated into the Italian law. The existing literature has focused on the effects of L.D. 152/2006 on Separate Waste Collection (SWC) rates; however, there are not previous studies on the effects of this decree on growth rates and on convergence process among regions in terms of SWC and its items (i.e., organic, plastic, paper, and glass). This paper aims to fill these gaps. For this purpose, we implement β- and σ- convergence analysis based on Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) on official Italian regional data over the period 2001–2018. Results show that Legislative Decree 152/2006 has two contrasting effects: on the one hand, it helped increase separate waste collection; on the other hand, it slowed down the convergence process in terms of separate waste collection among the Italian regions. However, the convergence process is characterised by different speeds across Italian macro-areas (Northern, Central, and Southern Italy), highlighting a three-speed country. To foster convergence, the national legislation should consider regional differences in terms of economic, infrastructural, institutional, social, and demographic characteristics. Image 1 • We implement β- and σ-convergence analysis on Italian regional data through GMM estimations. • Legislative Decree 152/2006 promoted the growth of SWC rates. • Legislative Decree 152/2006 reduced β - and σ-convergence among Italian regions in terms of SWC. • Regional convergence in SWC is conditioned by regional socio-economic drivers. • Results show a three-speed Italy in terms of SWC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]