Waste, agreement between Rome City Council and Carrefour Italy on recycling and packaging reduction

Promoting the circular economy and sustainable urban waste management in Rome. With this objective in mind, a Protocol of Understanding was signed between Roma Capitale, Ama S.p.A. (the Municipality's 100% municipal hygiene company) and Carrefour Italia. The agreement aims to promote the proper recovery and recycling of waste, raising awareness among citizens and encouraging virtuous environmental behaviour: collection points for recycling, the purchase of products with reduced packaging, and awareness campaigns for citizens and employees.

The main objective of the initiative is to strengthen separate waste collection, flanked by information and awareness-raising campaigns aimed at citizens and specific training for staff. The initiative takes on an even more significant value in the year of the Jubilee 2025, an event that will bring millions of visitors including tourists and pilgrims to the Capital. The large influx of people will make effective urban waste management and increased awareness of separate waste collection even more crucial.

Through this agreement, Carrefour Italia will make some of its points of sale available to set up dedicated collection points for PET plastic packaging for food liquids, vegetable oils and fats, clothing and textiles, small WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) and glass packaging. The initiative will start with 6 points of sale - Piazzale degli Eroi, Piazzale Morelli, Prati Fiscali, Filarete (Casilina), Boccea and Laurentina - and will then be extended to other of the chain's 140 points of sale (between direct management and commercial affiliates) in the city and province.

Another key element of the agreement is the Pilot Project for the promotion of reduced disposable packaging purchases in some Carrefour shops in Rome. This project will allow customers to purchase products in specific departments using their own containers, suitable for food contact and food transport, in full compliance with current food safety regulations.

"This Memorandum of Understanding is part of our overall strategy to make Rome a more sustainable and innovative city," said Sabrina Alfonsi, Councillor for Agriculture, Environment and Waste Cycle of Roma Capitale. After the drafting of the Waste Management Plan and the reorganisation of the service company, today we are putting in place actions to encourage the active participation of citizens and the private sector in the ecological transition. We hope to be able to sign similar protocols with other large retail chains as well". The councillor claimed the achievement of 50% separate waste collection (a target reached in the midst of the Jubilee, with waste production also on the rise), which should reach 60% by 2028.