6 Italian Regions Reject Naples' Trash, Sardinia Accepts

January 14, 2008 1:27 p.m. EST

Rome, Italy (AHN) - Even if Germany agreed to help solve Italy's garbage crisis for a hefty fee, Rome is still in search of local solutions to its trash problem. But the Italian government apparently has more difficulty convincing other regions than its neighbor to take in Naples' tons of household garbage. So far 6 Italian regions have refused Naples' refuse, only Sardinia had accepted.

Sardinia chairman Renato Soru agreed to accept 1,500 tons of Naples' and Campania's garbage, unseparated and untreated. Despite Italian Prime Minister Renato Prodi chairing the meeting between the central government and local authorities, the governments of Lombardy, Friuli, Umbria, Basilicata, Liguria and Marche thumbed down Naples' trash.

In rejecting Naples request for assistance, Lombardy regional budget councilor Romano Colozzi said the region's decision is based on technical, not political considerations since its garbage system was not designed to take in more trash beyond what its population produces.

The meeting was the debut of Italian Garbage Czar Gianni de Gennaro. On his first day in Naples, he promised, "Answers won't be long in coming. I'm accustomed to keeping my word." He pledged to announce new developments by Thursday.

Italian Environment Minister Antonio Pecoraro Scanio blamed the ecomafia for the region's garbage crisis. He referred to the Camorra, an organized crime syndicate that illegal operates Naples' unauthorized landfill sites.