Italy is a standout in the European landscape for its virtuous approach to the circular economy, which resulted in a savings of 16.4 billion euros in 2024. This is according to a recent study conducted by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. Italy's reliance on imports and the scarcity of natural resources have pushed the country to develop more efficient and sustainable manufacturing models, transforming a structural weakness into a strength. There are many factors that indicate that Italy is more virtuous than the European average in terms of circular economy. For example, there is no comparable country in terms of total garbage recycling (urban and special). Secondly, the rate of circular material use in 2023 was 20.8%, which is nearly twice the EU average (11.8%) and surpasses the primary European economies. Overall, 42% of Italian enterprises have already implemented at least one circular economy strategy, with another 22% planning to do so in the future. These enterprises are most concentrated in Lombardy, Piedmont, and Veneto.