Dear Union,

I would like to point out that I am a citizen of Cagliari who pays over 450 euros of Tari per year. It seems to me a sufficiently discreet sum to allow me to ask for an efficient waste management service. Instead, no, I am here to tell you about my day (my days) between the ecological island and the eco-center.

It happens that I had to dispose of six cushions from an old sofa, some cardboard, some broken glass from some old paintings and some unusable books. First stop, Pirri recycling centre. Only with glass (one bag), cardboard (two boxes) and books (one of those resistant supermarket bags).

Before continuing: the staff at the various centers were kind, all of them, and even supportive. So the problem is upstream.

Pirri, I was saying. Answer: no, cardboard can't be thrown away here. No, glass can't be thrown away here. The first is not paper, even if when they deliver smaller quantities under the house they collect it with the paper. And the second is undoubtedly glass. But, my fault, it is considered undifferentiated. First result: I can only leave a few books, and there were too many. They advise me to go to Sant'Elia. "And via San Paolo?", I ask. Answer: "If they don't reactivate the incinerator, that too is an ecological island, not an eco-centre, so it works like here". So: it is practically useless.

I look at the time. The Sant'Elia eco-centre closes at 8pm, it's 7:10pm. I take a chance. I wait in line for a bit, not much to be honest. Then it's my turn. The employee looks at the car: "Gentlemen, the bulky waste tomorrow, they've already taken the container away". So? "So tomorrow". I ask if I can at least leave the cardboard. I'm allowed to. Then they explain: "Come tomorrow morning. But not at 8am", which is the opening time, "but at 9 or 9:30. That way you're sure to find the container". They're not to blame. I accept. I leave.

I should be working the next morning, but my car is full of waste. I call the office, I'll be a little late. And at 9:15 the next day I'm back in Sant'Elia. Problem: I'm not the only one there. There are many other citizens who, like me, I imagine, pay the Tari. And they have to dispose of it. All in line. I stay there for a solid hour. I point out that in the meantime the line of cars has been opened up like the Red Sea to make room for a truck with the city's insignia on the side. "Well, you know, we're working." I'm not, I'm not working even though I should be. But does it make sense to argue? Maybe, but I'll go along with it.

After a long wait, it's my turn. I drive in. The employee - different from the one the night before - looks at the material: "Oh, no, we can't take everything. Five pieces at most." I have more pillows, in addition to the glass. "No one told me anything," I say with the serenity of a hippie Buddha at a Jefferson Airplane concert. "Eh, what can I tell you? They're doing checks. Before, you could throw away, like, five pieces of wood and five other things. Now three plus two." Do I have to go home with the car still full (almost) and take more time off from work?

Humanity makes its way: "Listen, go up and see". In the end the bulky waste bin was empty and I was allowed to throw away what I had to. The lack of anger paid off. And I was told, again: "Look, if they don't activate the incinerator it will get even worse, eh".

Municipality, what is this story about the incinerator? With my 450 euros per year, added to all those of my fellow citizens, do I really have to have a system for which I not only pay, but also have to do the work of others, between collection and disposal? It disgusts me a little.

Signed letter (*)

(*the personal details, known to the editorial staff, are omitted in compliance with privacy and current legislation)

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