Press Release: Italy: Commission sends final warning over waste crisis in Campania region

On 31 January, 2008, the European Commission sent Italy a final written warning over the chronic waste crisis plaguing Naples and the rest of the Campania region. Since just before Christmas thousands of tonnes of garbage have been left uncollected by the roadside in Campania because waste disposal sites are full. This situation has led to incidents in which angry residents have set fire to waste piles in the streets. The uncollected waste and the open fires pose serious health and environmental risks through the spread of disease and pollution of air, water and land. While Italy has already taken some measures to deal with the waste crisis, this final warning means that Italy will be taken to the European Court of Justice unless it brings arrangements for dealing with waste in the region fully into line with the requirements of EU waste legislation. In view of the situation’s urgency and gravity, the Commission is giving Italy one month to respond instead of the usual two month deadline.