The role of waste pickers in reuse economies in Italy

This report examines the crucial but often overlooked role of waste pickers in Italy’s reuse economy. Through field research conducted in flea markets in Turin, Rome, and Palermo, the study reveals how thousands of informal workers recover discarded goods and reintroduce them into local markets, preventing large volumes of materials from becoming waste. The research estimates that between 60,000 and 70,000 waste pickers in Italy collectively sell 197,000–230,000 tons of reused goods each year, highlighting their significant environmental and economic contributions.

Despite this impact, waste pickers remain largely excluded from formal waste governance and circular economy policies. The report argues that recognizing and integrating their work into reuse systems, public policy, and Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks is essential to building a more inclusive and effective circular economy.