The public policies of municipalities around the world can help immensely to recycle, reduce and reuse the waste we generate. Small towns in Italy, for example, develop clear and specific instructions for their neighbors.
In Cessaniti, a town in Calabria in southern Italy, at the doors of every home there must be a black container where bags are deposited on the specific days they must be disposed of. The color of the bags is very important, since in this way those in charge of collecting them can recognize what type of waste is inside. Likewise, the days each bag is taken out is essentialsince it prevents them from being exposed to heat or rain.
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday: organic waste
Organic food scraps are recycled in a white biodegradable bag: fruit and vegetable peels, egg shells, bones and remains of meat and fish, stale bread, ground coffee, tea bags, flowers.
Tuesday and Friday: non-recyclable waste
Everything that cannot be included in other recycling categories is discarded in a black bag: toys, non-slip mats, disposable gloves, ceramics, porcelain, diapers, sanitary napkins, vacuum cleaner bags, cigarette butts.
Mattresses, electrical appliances, cartridges for printed materials and furniture are also taken out on Tuesday. The commune takes care of stretching its useful life.
Thursday: paper, cardboard, glass and multi-materials
Paper and cardboard are recycled in a yellow bag: newspapers, magazines, books, notebooks, continuous forms for printers, cardboard boxes, properly washed food containers.
Glass is recycled in a green bag: mineral water bottles and soft drinks in general, glass jars, glass bottles and containers, and glassware.
Various materials are recycled in a blue bag: mineral water and soft drink bottles, household cleaning bottles, personal hygiene containers, plastic trays, polystyrene for food, packaging films, plastic boxes, aluminum cans, food containers, metal. Everything must be properly washed and dried.
In addition, each commune has containers to dump used vegetable oils and that can be reused. There are also containers to take used clothing that can have a second life. The commune is in charge of washing it and distributing it to those who need it.
Putting this municipal policy into practice may seem cumbersome at first, but over time it becomes a habit. Remember that The motivation to care for the environment and minimize our impact on the planet is what generates change.
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Commune of Cessaniti