Judgment No. 26805 of 2023: Waste Management and the Concept of 'Same Site'

The judgment No. 26805 of March 16, 2023, issued by the Court of Cassation, has provided important clarifications on waste management, particularly regarding the use of excavated earth and rocks. This decision fits into a complex regulatory context, where the provisions of Legislative Decree No. 152 of April 3, 2006, and Presidential Decree No. 120 of June 13, 2017, play a crucial role. Understanding the scope of this ruling is essential for industry operators and anyone involved in environmental management.

The Meaning of the Ruling

First of all, the Court reiterated that excavated earth and rocks can be excluded from the waste regime only if reused for construction purposes at the “same site” where they were extracted. The ruling emphasizes that “same site” refers to a geographically defined area, specifying that autonomous portions of land with different purposes do not fall within this definition.

Waste Management - Reusable excavated earth and rocks at the same site - Exclusion from waste regime - Conditions - Notion of “same site” - Case. In terms of waste management, the application of the derogatory regulation on excavated earth and rocks referred to in Art. 185, paragraph 1, letter c), Legislative Decree No. 152 of April 3, 2006, in so far as it removes them from the waste regime, requires that they be reused for construction purposes as a by-product at the same site where they were extracted or at a different site, provided that in this case they are used in accordance with the regulations of Presidential Decree No. 120 of June 13, 2017, with “same site” being understood as a single area or portion of land, geographically defined and determined or delineated, in which distinct and autonomous portions of land that are not continuous and have different purposes do not fall. (In this case, it was deemed correct the decision that excluded the application of the derogatory regulation on the grounds that the extracted materials had been reused at a site different from that of production, without complying with the regulatory discipline referred to in the aforementioned Presidential Decree No. 120 of June 13, 2017).

Practical Implications of the Decision

This ruling has several practical implications for companies operating in the construction and waste management sectors, including:

  • The need to carefully assess the location of extracted materials.
  • The obligation to comply with current regulations, avoiding the risk of penalties.
  • The importance of documenting the reuse of materials in accordance with specific regulations.

Essentially, the Court confirmed that adhering to the definition of “same site” is fundamental to benefiting from the exemptions provided by waste legislation. This aspect not only protects the environment but also ensures greater legal certainty for industry operators.

Conclusions

Judgment No. 26805 of 2023 represents a step forward in the regulatory clarity regarding waste management, particularly concerning excavated earth and rocks. The definition of “same site” and the conditions for exclusion from the waste regime are now more understandable, which helps companies comply with the law and manage materials sustainably. In a time when environmental sustainability is at the center of public debate, this ruling offers significant food for thought and guidance for industry operators.

Bianucci Law Firm