How to Manage Waste in Venice

Venice is one of the most desired travel destinations in the world. Venice's famous beauty and uniqueness are primarily due to its water canals, history, and architecture. Sustainable travel is crucial to protect and maintain such an extraordinary city. When traveling to Venice, be mindful of managing waste. It will help you, other travelers, and Venetians enjoy the city and its clean environment for a long time. Dive into our article, which will answer all your questions on waste management in Venice!

When should you care about your waste in Venice

If you're staying in a hotel, the staff will most likely take care of your garbage. Yet, if you're staying in an apartment or an Airbnb, you'll have to manage your waste yourself. The procedure mostly depends on the type and location of your rental and the agreement with your landlord. To keep Venice clean and attractive, you should also consider the waste you produce while wandering the city's streets. Remember that the rules are different for various Venice neighborhoods. What is valid for central Venice and Giudecca might not be true for Murano, Burano, Lido, or Mestre. Your small daily help matters more than you think. Should you decide not to comply with the provisions, fines for incorrect waste disposal start from 167 euros.

How to manage waste in Venice 

In some European destinations, like Brussels, you can put garbage bags on the street in front of your residence. However, that's not the case in Venice. If you're staying in a rental, there are two options available. 

You can bring trash to the collection points from 6:30 to 8:30 am. You can find such points throughout the city, usually near the canals. Take advantage of our interactive Venice map to quickly find the collection points. Another option would be to wait for a person that goes door to door collecting garbage. They usually come from 8:30 am to noon. Ask your property manager or landlord to give you their approximate arrival time. The second option is an excellent benefit for less mobile travelers. 

How to recycle in Venice

As anywhere else, you should recycle your garbage in Venice. Please, do not throw everything in one bin. In Venice, "rifiuto residuo" stands for organic waste, mainly coming from the kitchen. The rest is up for recycling according to the city's rules. The Veritas company picks up organic waste daily except Sundays and public holidays. Different recyclables are collected on different days (see the schedule below). 

When checking into your rental, make sure the waste management expectations are clear. For instance, they may ask you to remove residual waste and leave the rest for the cleaning crew. Or they might ask you to take care of all your garbage, including recyclables, at the end of your stay. 

The pick-up schedule

Monday to Saturday, 6:30 am - 8:30 am - organic or residual waste

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 6:30 am - 8:30 am - paper, cardboard, newspapers, and Tetra Pak

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 6:30 am - 8:30 am - glass, plastic, and cans

Oversized or dangerous waste

If you're staying for a long time or even planning to reside in Venice, you should know how to take care of oversized or dangerous items. Find an eco-center to eliminate dangerous waste like expired medicine, oils, batteries, etc. Venice has a few eco-centers, all available on the Venice map. The waste management company can pick up bulky household waste by appointment. The service is free if the items are up to one cubic meter. If you exceed this amount, an operator will give you an estimate for the disposal.