by Eleonora Anello
Institutional and social forces, ahead of the European Week for Waste Reduction (20 to 28 November 2010), have joined in the campaign “Meno rifiuti” (Less Waste) to educate the Leghorn citizens to produce less garbage.
«The presence of packaging in the waste is a growing trend that only the caution of a conscious consumer can slow making light purchases – debuted Giorgio Kutufà, President of the Province of Leghorn at the official presentation of the project in November 2008 – The campaign represents a collective effort in wanting to reduce the amount of waste generated and based on a political awareness that involved 54 players and sees to work well together».
”Meno rifiuti” is in fact divided in two specific fronts: firstly it aims to inform people about how consumption habits can help to reduce waste; while at the other it involves the institutions, the enterprises, and the economic operators of the territory in the implementation of measures aimed at reducing waste. We spoke with Nicola Nista, the provincial environment assessor.
What is the campaign?
«The main objective is to increase awareness of the environmental and social costs of waste production. Costs that are not only necessary for disposal, but also those due to environmental degradation, which falls, then, upon future generations. For this, in the first phase, we heavily focused on information to support the growth of awareness by the consumer and direct it toward more correct buying behaviour. In this sense we also made a nimble "handbook" with tips on how to spend "more light", i.e. choose bulk products or with less packaging, use reusable shopping bags, etc.. We have also drawn attention to the campaign through a dedicated website, posters, information material that we have distributed in various ways. The whole campaign was recognized by the image of two tasty green apples, symbolizing the expense: one enclosed in an absurd packaging (plastic bag and strap) and the other one “free”. With this message the Province urging people to reflect on the uselessness of some packages, while giving the impression that the packaging “choke” the product. Were also made several technical meetings, coordinated by the Province, to stimulate the planning of those members. The result of this work was a real Operational Action Plan through which to implement best practices in the territory».
Interesting adoption of a testimonial near Leghorn as Migone, a famous comic.
«Migone is one of the most famous comedians of Leghorn, very well known for his participation in the Italian TV show Zelig. He's definitely a character much loved by Leghorn who especially appreciate the humor at times surreal but tinged with bitter irony. He is also extremely sensitive to social issues and has been enthusiastically to our proposal to represent the campaign for which has not received any compensation».
In which phase is project?
«Nowadays we launched the second phase of the campaign that is now in the crucial phase with the implementation of projects contained in the Action Plan. We identified four lines of action: reducing packaging, longer life of objects, how to manage the municipal waste collection, waste reduction in the public administration and in the offices. On these lines move projects "P.A.G.U.R.o” (Projects and Actions for Management and Use of Waste), presented by some partners and co-financed by the Province. Among the various projects there are some of particular interest. “Niente sprechi”(No waste), with the promoter the Province, which seeks recovery of unused or non-marketed goods (unsold food, pharmaceuticals and publishing products) that will be distributed to charities in the area. “Buona da bere” (Good to drink) draft submitted ASA (the local environmental services company) to reduce the use of plastic bottles by promoting the use of tap water in the offices of the Province, in the schools. Another interesting project, which was largely successful among citizens, is the distribution of raw milk. The initiative, organized by the Municipality of Leghorn, saw the installation of a vending machine located in the “natural” commercial of the district Borgo Cappuccini. Finally, a project to promote the separate waste collection and the composting household organic waste is treated by CRUMA (Marine Aquatic Bird Rehabilitation Centre) of Leghorn. The headquarters of the Centre, in fact, will host a trail on this subject, with the installation of compost bins and information signs that explain the operation of the composting process and how to implement it at home».
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