Urban waste, the "punctual rate" arrives in Sardinia
Councilor Lampis: "It can be adopted in all municipalities allowing savings for citizens"
"The result achieved so far in separate collection (compared to 2019, the percentage has increased from 72.9% to 74.22%) has convinced us that by 2022 we can achieve the ambitious goal of 80%. Therefore, we have decided to activate the 'punctual pricing' method on a regional scale, i.e. the rate based on the waste actually delivered, which will allow an increase in the percentage of separate waste collection, a lower production of municipal waste and a lower disposal in landfills, in addition to the introduction fair criteria in the calculation of tariffs to be paid by citizens ".
Thus the regional councilor for the defense of the environment, Gianni Lampis , illustrating the guidelines for the "punctual rate" within the urban waste management service in Sardinia.
"The 'punctual pricing' system is not yet developed in the regional territory, therefore it was necessary to adopt incentive tools to facilitate its diffusion, according to the actions envisaged in the 'Regional urban waste management plan' which provides for the adoption of economic instruments focused on the 'polluter pays' principle ”, added Councilor Lampis.
CORRECT MANAGEMENT - “The experience gained with the reward / penalty mechanism for separate waste collection has shown how correct waste management can be favored. The activation of 'punctual pricing' has been identified as an action for the development, at local level, of management systems aimed not only at minimizing the overall production of urban waste, but also at increasing the separation percentages of the recoverable fractions and recyclable and minimizing the fraction to be sent for disposal. The 'punctual rate' is also a tool for making the careful waste management responsible, also economically involving all the components (local authority, managing body and users), and becomes an element of fairness in attributing the costs of the service to citizens " .
PREMIALITY - With the reward / penalty tool, Sardinia has gone from a separate collection of 2.8% in 2002 to 74.22% in 2020. Currently, 366 out of 377 municipalities (97%) have exceeded the target by law 65% of separate waste collection, for a population equal to about 90% of the total. While 44 municipalities have already exceeded 80%.
THE CAGLIARI EXPERIENCE - "The Municipality of Cagliari was the first, in 2021, to activate this type of pricing for domestic users, a novelty that will probably contribute to the improvement of environmental performance in the municipal area and consequently of the entire regional territory" , the Councilor's clarification. " Quartu Sant'Elena and Nuoro are also organizing. Obviously, the Region has granted a period to allow the Administrations to organize and adapt the service, foreseeing it fully operational from 2023".
An update of the "bonus / penalty mechanism was also studied, which conditions its application to the adoption of the 'punctual rate' at the local level, without penalizing the Administrations that obtain significant percentages of separate waste collection without adopting this rate".
LOWER COSTS - "Citizens and businesses are asking to reward the efforts that have allowed Sardinia to confirm itself as the second Italian region for separate waste collection. A system of 'punctual pricing', therefore a lower delivery of dry matter, will allow municipalities to have less costs and citizens to save up to 20% of the current tariff. It should not be overlooked that, by placing less dry landfill as possible, there will also be an undoubted environmental advantage ", the conclusion.
(Unioneonline / vl)
