I have just been informed that there is a problem, particularly in Rome, with trash removal. Is anyone aware of the conflict between the government and the private trash removal companies? If so, is the issue also in Sicily? Has anyone who has been there recently noticed a problem? Just curious, it won't stop us from our trip but we like to be well informed visitors.
Any current information is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Lorieann
I live in Rome. It is no worse than usual. Some days are better (in August it is always better because the crews can get through the streets as there is less double-parking/fewer residents parking at all), but some days it piles up a bit. NOTHING like you may have seen happens in Naples from time-to-time. The new mayor, Virginia Raggi, is committed to getting the workers at AMA to come to work and do their jobs. The head of the department was asked to leave a couple of weeks ago. Some neighborhoods are worse than others, some particularly troublesome, but the tourist areas are kept fairly well.
In defense of the prior administration, they did hire 300 contractors several months ago to supplement the street cleaning crews, but as many people treat the streets as their personal trash cans, it is hard for them to keep up.
While being a great country to visit, the seeming lack of care about trash in public space is a downer.
There is a trash problem in Rome as the agency having to deal with it is very expensive and really inefficient. But now the problem is in the limelight as there is a new mayor and the parties who lost the election and caused the problems in first place are now trying to make things difficult to the new mayor. In other words, it is somewhat difficult to separate real troubles from politically motivated propaganda.
"but as many people treat the streets as their personal trash cans, it is hard for them to keep up."
That pretty much says it all. It's pretty hard for even large clean-up crews doing their jobs to keep things clean as long as people don't take any pride in their surroundings and keep throwing trash around. And it's not just Rome, or Italy, or Europe. I see it here too on our beautiful beaches, in our National Parks, etc. Why are people such pigs??
I have been in Roma three times this summer, looks about normal to me, although I have noticed more workers out picking up trash, more often.
