ROME - In light of a huge fire at a waste plant on Via Salaria, Rome’s administration has been urged to tackle the city's refuse crisis. Raggi herself has declared, “what happened has prompted conversion plans in the Salario zone.”

 A series of solutions have been provided by Rome’s so-called “control-room” following the waste plant fire. These include the formation of a structure that receives up to 70,000 undifferentiated tonnes of rubbish per year, a figure which equates to 200 tonnes per day. Furthermore, structures will be set up in the Lazio region that conduct “mechanical biological treatment”. Two implants will be constructed in Malagrotta to perform this function. The process of “portable sifting” which has previously been carried out by Ama will also be reactivated.

 On a long-term basis, new conventions encompassing different regions will be initiated.

 According to reports, rubbish collection in the north of Rome is particularly disappointing. A great deal of problems are encountered around Christmas time, as people produce more waste and workers take time off.

 Rome’s waste company has asked the Lazio region to create space for more refuse in their waste plants, enabling up to 800 tonnes of rubbish to be dumped there for an unlimited period of time. This request, which has been supported by the city's administation, was prompted by the fact that the Salario waste plant is no longer in use.

 A representative from the city council has asked prefect Paola Basilone to “concentrate on avoiding speculation about the costs of the contributions. Everyone knows that in times of need, it is easy for people to want to increase prices.”

 However, the Salario waste plant fire may have in fact resolved a large number of the city's problems. Indeed, many citizens have long disagreed with the fact that the Lazio region forces Ama to comply with 15 so-called “prescriptions”, in order for the 2019 authorisation to be renewed. Moreover, citizens have been protesting for years against the appearance of the waste plant.

 In an interview with RomaToday, Raggi declared that the waste plant will not be re-launched. “We are looking into potentially constructing a centre of “creative recycling” inside the waste plant, where craftspeople can work in laboratories and give new life to old objects which will consequently not be dumped.

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