With the introduction of RENTRI, the National Electronic Register for Waste Traceability, film, television and commercial productions must pay greater attention to the management of waste generated during filming, set construction and technical operations.
The obligation does not automatically apply to all productions; it mainly depends on three factors:
- who is formally identified as the waste producer;
- what type of waste is generated;
- whether the waste is classified as hazardous or non-hazardous.
A production set can generate many different types of waste. Some are ordinary or municipal-type waste, while others may result from more specific activities such as set construction, carpentry, painting, special effects, electrical and lighting departments, make-up, costumes, catering or temporary maintenance works.
“Hazardous waste” generally refers to waste that presents characteristics that may pose a risk to human health or the environment. Within the audiovisual sector, this may include, depending on the circumstances, residues of paints, solvents, adhesives, aerosols, batteries, lamps, electrical and electronic equipment, containers contaminated by chemical substances, contaminated absorbent materials or residues generated by special effects activities.
That said, this does not mean that every production automatically generates hazardous waste. However, it should be considered that certain activities may produce it, and the correct classification must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, also taking into account the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) of the products used and the way in which the waste is generated.
As of 13 February 2025, the new formats for the Waste Loading and Unloading Register and the Waste Identification Form have come into force. Registration with RENTRI is being implemented in phases, depending on the type of organisation and the number of employees.
For audiovisual productions, therefore, the right question is not simply “Are we required to register with RENTRI?”, but rather:
• are special or hazardous wastes generated during this production?
• who is the waste producer?
• who transports or disposes of the waste?
• are the suppliers involved properly authorised?
• is all documentation complete and consistent?
Framinia Services supports audiovisual productions in assessing RENTRI obligations, managing supplier documentation and developing practical operational procedures tailored to production activities, temporary installations and all stages of the production process.