Legambiente Ragusa and the strategies to combat waste abandonment

At the headquarters of the Libero Consorzio Comunale di Ragusa, on Viale del Fante, the volume by Attilio Tornavacca titled "Strategies and Synergistic Actions to Combat Waste Abandonment", published by ESPER (Study Agency for Sustainable Resource Planning – benefit corporation), was presented.

The initiative, organized by the Legambiente "Il Carrubo" of Ragusa and moderated by representatives of the association from various provincial circles, featured the author's intervention and was followed by a round table with representatives from the law enforcement agencies, specialized technicians, and the mayors of Ragusa, Vittoria, and Giarratana.

During the meeting, the most effective practices to combat illegal abandonment, a widespread phenomenon in numerous areas of the country, including the Iblean territory, were illustrated. In addition to the significant environmental damage and the perception of degradation, such behaviors represent a poor business card for an area with a strong tourist vocation, with negative repercussions on the economic fabric as well.

The removal of abandoned waste also incurs additional costs for municipalities, which are reflected in the TARI paid by citizens who comply with proper waste disposal rules.

- Analysis and characterization of the phenomenon of waste abandonment;

- Education, training, information, and awareness-raising activities aimed at citizens;

- Coordination among different entities for monitoring, combating, repression, public communication, and environmental remediation activities;

- Surveillance actions, including through drones and cameras, with checks for deterrent purposes and the use of images provided by private citizens;

- Introduction of inspectors or ecological guards to support territorial control and inspections;

- Adoption of incentivizing mechanisms such as pay-as-you-throw pricing;

- Identification of TARI evaders by cross-referencing cadastral data with waste office data;

- Highlighting in the TARI bill the costs of removing abandoned waste, to encourage all users to combat illegal activities in the environmental and economic interest;

- Dissemination of digital applications for reporting illegal dumping;

- Correct identification of users who do not dispose of waste regularly through monitoring of waste disposal;

- Facilitation of the transfer to collection centers, with accessible hours and qualified staff, for the proper recovery of urban and special waste.

From the discussion, it emerged that combating abandonment cannot be limited to repressive action, but requires a coordinated set of interventions and collaboration among multiple institutional subjects. Legambiente hopes that these proposals will be embraced by all the mayors of the municipalities of the Free Consortium of Ragusa, in order to activate every possible initiative to address the phenomenon immediately.