The latest government decree has included them among the essential activities. Rightly. The collection, treatment and disposal of waste with all the collateral services remain fully operational. And not only in continuity with what normally happens, but also to lower any environmental risk associated with the coronavirus. The workers in the sector had threatened a strike if their requests to work in safety were not accepted. There are no scientific certainties on the relationship between the environment and the epidemic for now, but they are being talked about. You just have to wait.
From the Po valley to polluted cities, suffocated by smog and fine dust, scientists and environmentalists are at work. A general framework in which the guidelines of the Ministry of Health on the management of household waste. Waste is also important for all of us forced to stay at home. The The Ministry of the Environment has launched the hashtag #ricicloincasa to entice families to take part in domestic recycling operations. Photos of crafts to post to raise awareness of the reuse of materials.
Nice initiative promoted by the Minister of the Environment Sergio Costa, which does not obscure Italy at a structural level behind with the plants useful for the waste system as a whole. The coronavirus is a powerful epidemic and the environmental conditions in which it spreads are important: 10 people are engaged every day in Italy, in every city, to guarantee urban hygiene and correct management of everything that ends up in the waste bag. They have finally obtained security guarantees for their work.
An industry with a turnover of more than 2 billion euros, which cannot be considered extraneous to epidemiological phenomena, as we unfortunately see in many tormented territories. Well the mayors busy more than normal to sanitize and clean up streets and squares. But the workers in these jobs? Under what conditions do they drive on roads that are only now a little cleaner? Until now no one had been interested in them. They threatened to stop. No authority has cited the crucial work they've been doing since "brave".
Less than doctors and paramedics, of course, but to be protected to also contain the possible contagion while on the street. And to think that thousands of families leave bags with materials from relatives in quarantine. A socio-economic circuit which helps to avoid health risks. With the signing of the protocol with the companies, the workers in the service therefore obtained protection for working conditions. The waste service therefore continues regularly throughout Italy.
Utilitalia, Confindustria Cisambiente, the Alliance of Italian Cooperatives, FISE Assoambiente have undertaken with CGIL, CISL, UIL to ensure working conditions with adequate protective devices. However, the burden also concerns the Government, competent Ministries, Civil Protection, Regions, ANCI which must ensure the supplies of the devices quickly. The structures do not stop health, waste management does not stop, in such a particular moment. The fight against the coronavirus also has environmental connotations.
