Capannori plays a key role in one of Europe’s largest paper districts, controlling a significant share of national tissue and packaging production. This industrial ecosystem is complemented by dynamic agriculture, tourism and manufacturing sectors, offering fertile ground for circular synergies. Through the Scientific Park and the Zero Waste Research Centre, the city supports innovation in reuse, sustainable materials, and industrial symbiosis.

Urban rural predominance:

Intermediate

'Next-generation recycling and reuse systems for a territorial circular economy transition'

Capannori’s circular systemic solution integrates advanced recycling infrastructure with territorial governance, SME support, and social innovation. It is guided by the Capannori Circolare 2030 strategy and operationalised through a newly established Circular Economy District.

At its core are two innovative facilities:

• The absorbent product recycling platform, located in a 6,800 m² warehouse equipped with photovoltaics, will process 10,000 tons/year of nappies, sanitary towels, and incontinence products. The facility uses low-impact technology to recover plastic and cellulose without odour or emissions.
• The textile sorting platform will handle 6,500 tons/year, identifying fibres for either mechanical recycling or reuse. The system combines automation with manual sorting, supporting local reuse networks and extending product life cycles.

Together, these facilities are backed by €15 million in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) funding, complemented by regional resources. They form part of a wider ecosystem that includes:

• Reuse centres for waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and bulky items, funded via the ENI CBC-MED ReuseMed project;
• SME innovation supported through the Open Circular project’s Living Labs;
• Green skills development via the EXTRAVERT programme;
• Territorial food policy integration through FoodCLIC and the “Piana del Cibo” network.

Capannori’s circular solution aims to embed circularity across infrastructure, business, education, and social systems, creating a replicable model for sustainable urban and regional transformation.

Objectives

1. Build and operationalise state-of-the-art recycling platforms for absorbent hygiene products (10,000 tons/year) and textiles (6,500 tons/year), fully integrated into the local waste system, reducing landfill dependency and enabling high-quality secondary raw material recovery in line with zero waste goals.
2. Strengthen the territorial circular economy ecosystem by launching the Circular Economy District, supporting 10 SMEs through Living Labs to develop circular business models, and delivering advanced coaching, innovation services, and stakeholder governance mechanisms.
3. Enhance circular resource management and social impact through the expansion of reuse networks (WEEE, bulky items), integration of sustainable food systems (FoodCLIC), and certification of “Green Manager” professionals to guide circular transition across sectors. 

Systemic nature

Capannori’s circular systemic solution integrates recycling infrastructure, reuse systems, SME innovation, green skills development, and sustainable food policy into a coordinated territorial approach. It includes two specialised platforms for the treatment of absorbent hygiene products and textile waste, supported by a separate collection system and connected to an expanded network of reuse centres for WEEE and bulky goods. Additional actions include food surplus recovery and redistribution, local food supply chain development, and training of “Green Manager” professionals.

Ten SMEs are involved in Living Labs and will receive coaching to adopt circular business models. These activities are coordinated through the Circular Economy District, which also supports performance monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and territorial communication. The solution addresses multiple circularity dimensions, including reuse, recycling, industrial symbiosis, sustainable procurement, and employment in green sectors.

The Municipality of Capannori ensures strategic coordination and policy alignment. RetiAmbiente leads infrastructure development. SMEs participate in business transformation. Universities and research centres provide evaluation and technical support. Caritas manages food recovery and social inclusion initiatives. Innovation actors based at the Scientific Park – such as the Zero Waste Research Centre and Laboratorio Materiali Polimerici Ecocompatibili – contribute to research, training, and capacity building.

Expected impact

The solution is expected to significantly reduce residual waste and landfill dependency, increase separate collection rates, and improve material recovery. It will strengthen SME competitiveness through innovation support, create green jobs, and expand reuse and repair networks.

Environmental benefits include reduced CO₂ emissions and resource consumption. Social outcomes include improved food security, local supply chains, and community participation. The approach supports systemic change by embedding circular practices in infrastructure, business, education, and social services, positioning Capannori as a scalable model for regional and European circular transitions.

Link to existing circular economy strategy and/or action plan

Capannori’s circular transition is guided by the Capannori Circolare 2030 strategy (adopted 2022) and operationalised through the Circular Economy District (2025), which coordinates infrastructure, SME support, reuse systems, and monitoring. Built on over a decade of Zero Waste leadership, the strategy addresses key priorities such as separate collection, reuse, composting, industrial symbiosis, and eco-innovation.

At the regional level, the Tuscany Region approved the Piano regionale di gestione dei rifiuti e bonifica dei siti inquinati – Piano regionale dell’economia circolare (PREC) in January 2025, under L.R. 65/2014 and L.R. 10/2010 (link). Capannori contributes to the implementation of PREC objectives by hosting key infrastructures identified in the regional plan and piloting governance and innovation models that can be scaled across Tuscany.

Leading organisation 

Comune di Capannori

Unit/department/section

Mayor’s Cabinet

Participation in other relevant initiatives

• Zero Waste Certified City – First in Italy, third in Europe (Mission Zero Academy)
• Zero Waste Movement (Rifiuti Zero) – Originated and championed by Capannori
• Open Circular Interreg Marittimo IT-FR Project – Supports SME circular business model development
• EXTRAVERT Interreg Marittimo IT-FR Project – Green skills and “Green Manager” training
• Piana del Cibo – Inter-municipal circular food policy network

(Other) Key Resources

• Capannori Circolare 2030 strategy and Circular Economy District Initiative – Municipal framework of circular economy policies.
• Centro di Ricerca Rifiuti Zero (CRRZ) – Zero Waste research & community engagement.
• EXTRAVERT skills alliance – Green skills training for local enterprises.
• Open Circular project – Cross-border SME cooperation through Open Innovation focused on the circular economy
• The Story of Capannori – case study on Zero Waste Europe