The waste problem in Campania

On 31 December 2009, the refuse problem in Campania was officially closed, as provided for by law no.123 of 14 July 2008. Refuse cycle management was once again in compliance with the ordinary regime and returned under the jurisdiction of local authorities.

To facilitate the handing over of responsibility and ensure a return to normal management, two new structures have been established within the Department of Civil Protection: the Settlements unit and the Operating unit. The settlements unit aims to define the credit and debit situations of the emergency management by the commissioner’s unit and the Undersecretary’s unit for refuse emergency. The operating unit has been entrusted with plant administration duties, such as the Acerra waste incinerator assignment contract or the costing of refuse delivery. With a view to returning to ordinary management, the two divisions are also involved in coordinating the flow of refuse, organising military assistance for certain plants and, above all, offering support to the Regional and the Provincial authorities of Campania.

The work of the Undersecretary’s unit for the refuse emergency in Campania, which began on 11 June 2008, has mainly followed two lines of intervention: one is short-term, aimed at solving the more urgent emergency problems, and covers the removal of refuse from the streets, while the other is characterised by operations that require more time, bringing refuse management back within ordinary standards, with the involvement of local citizens and organisations. Dumps have been prepared, the Acerra incinerator has been completed, and the construction of two other plants is planned, one in Naples and one in Salerno. Separated waste collection has been encouraged through the definition of compulsory objectives for town councils.