Treviso - Consumer Waste Separation (original) (raw)

In the early stages there was resistance from citizens. There was also some illegal dumping when people did not understand how the system worked. They would, for example, put old mattresses outside. After a few months, disposal practices improved.

Finding out who is responsible for the illegal waste can be difficult. Waste collectors and environmental rangers have the authority to go through waste to find personal information, and to then fine the person. The workers can check the contents of the bin. When recycling goes wrong, citizens receive warnings via stickers on their bins and afterwards they are fined. The fine depends on the size and material of waste.

If mistakes are made, the company calls directly to explain. They say that this is the most effective way to approach citizens.

In neighbourhoods where families work further away from home, it was noticed that on collection days the bins were left outside much longer than preferred. People were unable to take the bins inside, due to their working schedules. To avoid this, the EcoBus was invented

The EcoBus functions like a normal bus by following the same route every time. It stops for around 30 minutes per stop. This gives people the chance to drop off their waste when they come back home from work (evening service). The Ecobus has also had a pleasing side effect, in that it has become a social spot for the elderly People deposit their waste around the same time and meet up afterwards. In an unexpected way the EcoBus may be tackling loneliness.

In order to accommodate smaller houses in the older part of the city, smaller bins (30 litres) are provided. There are also more frequent pick-up services.

Teaching the rules to different cultures, especially those who are there for shorter stays is challenging. This is being dealt with by visiting the neighbourhoods more often, sharing information in many languages and collecting waste more often.

In order to tackle unrecycled street waste, there is a new project to change street bins to separate waste materials.