This paper provides original empirical evidence on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis regarding municipal waste generation. The empirical analysis uses a disaggregated panel dataset based on Italian Provinces, and provides mixed evidence in favour of an EKC relationship. The turning point occurs at very high levels of value added per capita (in the range 22586-31611€ for preferred specifications), which characterise a very limited number of wealthy (Northern) Italian provinces. The tests on some recently adopted waste policy / management instruments, show that they are not (yet) impacting on waste generation at source, and that they present some endogeneity with respect to socio economic drivers. To achieve delinking and to avoid an increasing gap between Northern and Southern areas, more effective policy instruments should be implemented and the weight of waste policies should be rebalanced towards waste prevention targets and instruments, in line with the stated priorities of the EU and Member Countries.