Naples is an ancient city in Italy, one of the oldest in the world, famous for its history, its beauties, its art and its gastronomical specialities. Born as a Greek colony 2,800 years ago during its all history was the scene of many events that left their mark , characterizing the Italian history playing an important role in promoting the unification of the country and the Italian culture spread all over the world.

The beautiful gulf, the view of the volcano Vesuvius, the architectural and artistic treasures are the characteristics that make Naples the wonderful city that Italians know and foreigners dream.

Its historical center, which is the largest of Europe, has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995 thanks to its immense artistic and cultural value.

Nowadays all these beauties are in a real grip of garbage. The latest news reported that currently almost 2,000 tons of garbage lie on the streets of the city.

Residents say the smell is unbearable. In many cases it is even difficult for them going out from their houses because the waste bags are left outside the doors and sometime the piles reach the windows of buildings first floors.

A situation almost unimaginable in a big city of a Western European country, but that for Naples residents is the sad and not new reality.

In fact the garbage issue is a recurring issue for Naples. Since the middle of 1990 the city and its surroundings have suffered from waste management problems. The incapacity of the local administration and the infiltration of the Camorra – the local mafia organization that import waste from all over Europe – in the municipal garbage disposal business have led to the strong crisis which broke out in 2008, and still weigh heavily on this area.

The solution of the crisis promised by the Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi since starting his mandate – that was also the point on which he built up his electoral campaign – didn’t solve the problem.

The center of the city and some other area were cleaned, but this situation of apparent calm lasted just for a while. In 2010 the government proposed to open new landfills in the region to face the problem – for example inside the Vesuvius National Park – but in the residents of the designed areas tried to block this action.

Cashes with the police, garbage trucks blocked by people stuck in the middle of the streets, rubbish skip committed to the flames, real scenes of urban guerrilla warfare that made Naples famous all over the world not for its beauties but for its garbage.

Until now all the government’s measures turned out totally useless and definitely not appropriate, and the emergency goes on.

Meanwhile the worries about the population’s health rise. Leukemia, throat cancer, and respiratory illnesses rates are higher day after day due to air and water pollution. A very high price to pay for the residents which watch with impotence the decay of their city and risk to compromise their state of health.

There is still a possibility for Naples to be free from the garbage and to be famous just for its beauties again?

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About the author

Francesca Biggio
I'm an Italian "Islander" from Sardinia.I love languages and I'm very interested in all concerning communication strategies,journalism,politics,history and social issues. I love travelling and coming into contact with different cultures and universes.

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