“Italy’s metal and e-scrap recycling sector has been busy investing in new technology in order to produce higher quality materials”, observes Recycling International’s Martijn Reintjes, after a 4-day road trip across the northern part of the country and on the island of Sardinia.

“This was my first trip after 18 months of  lockdown without any travel, and it’s really good to finally meet and talk live with recyclers again, to see and smell the scrap yards again. I especially enjoyed the small and medium family-run businesses.”

It’s promising to see that so many recyclers, not only in Italy but across Europe and beyond, have used the long pandemic months to boost and modernise their operations, says Reintjes.

“Another thing, visiting Italy is never a punishment, as we all know. Great people, great hospitality, superb food.”