MEP Dario Tamburrano (The Left) and Carolina Morace (The Left) have submitted a follow-up parliamentary question to the European Commission, challenging Italy's treatment of clippings and prunings from public green space maintenance as a by-product rather than waste. The MEPs argue that this classification may violate EU waste legislation and could undermine environmental protections, affecting waste management operators, biomass plant operators, and local authorities in Italy.
The question, filed on 20 April 2026, builds on the Commission's earlier reply to priority question P-000028/2026, in which the Commission stated that Italy's Decree of 19 June 2024 'does not seem to contradict EU waste legislation, provided that the obligations thereunder are complied with.' Tamburrano and Morace now seek clarity on what those obligations entail and whether Italy meets them.
the MASE Decree of 19 June 2024 lists residues from public and private green space maintenance as a by-product usable in biomass plants (but not biogas), and Lombardy Regional Decision No 2415/2024 applies a similar interpretation. They also note that Italy's inclusion of maintenance services in its official list of production processes, stemming from the 'Interpello Lavanolo' ruling, remains in effect despite ongoing review.
first, for the Commission to clarify the conditions for compliance with EU waste legislation and whether Italy currently meets them; second, for the Commission to assess whether Italy is correctly implementing Directive 2008/98/EC and subsequent rules, and if not, what action it will take.
The Commission is required to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it considers Italy's approach compliant or whether it may launch infringement proceedings, with implications for national waste management practices and the bioenergy sector. The question is supported by MEPs Ignazio Roberto Marino (Verts/ALE) and Valentina Palmisano (The Left).