IN AN AGE WHERE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IS AT THE CENTER OF GLOBAL CONCERNS, BOLOGNA AND ROME ARE COMMITTED TO REDUCING THE IMPACT OF PLASTIC ON THE ENVIRONMENT. THE EVENTS REPRESENT A STEP FORWARD ON THE PATH TOWARDS A NATION MORE AWARE AND COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY. WHILE BOLOGNA MARCONI AIRPORT IS WORKING TO REVOLUTIONIZE ITS APPROACH TO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC, THE PRESENTATION OF “COMUNI PLASTIC FREE 2024”
Bologna inaugurates the plastic free revolution in airports
All’Marconi Airport of Bologna, since January 20, 2024, a bold initiative aimed at drastically reducing the use of single-use plastic has been underway.
The pioneering project, the first of its kind in Italy, is the result of a collaboration between the airport company and Plastic Free Onlusan organization committed since 2019 to the fight against pollution resulting from the use of plastic.
Objective of the “twinning”? Reduction in the use of polyethylene terephthalate (single-use plastic) to 50 percent and over 500 thousand fewer plastic bottles sold by 2024.
A strong and concrete signal that aims to change the way in which airports will address the environmental issue.
The involvement of all operators in the food & beverage and Duty Free sectors present in the airport demonstrates a shared desire to embrace sustainability.
What will be done concretely in Bologna?
The ultimate goal is the total elimination of disposable plastic in catering outlets. Initiative which will be supported by a series of awareness campaigns.
In short, in addition to the logistical challenge, the promoters of the event intend to launch an appeal towards greater awareness of the individual as a whole environmental impact daily.
Thanks to this partnership with Plastic Free Onlus, Bologna Marconi Airport not only positions itself as a vanguard in the fight against single-use plastic, but also as a promoter of a cultural change.
Steps and virtuous actions
«A project that took its first steps in the last months of 2023 where we have already recorded the first results».
To declare it in a note, Stefano GardiniBusiness Non Aviation Director of Bologna Marconi Airport.
«Various virtuous practices have been implemented: the partial replacement of plastic bottles with others made of cardboard, glass and cans. And again, the elimination of plastic containers for take-away food and glasses, as well as the adoption of processes for the complete recovery of the plastic films with which the pallets of Duty Free products are wrapped”.
«This allowed us to reward operators who have committed themselves to their points of sale at the airport with the “Plastic Free” or “Plastic Reduction” recognition valid for one year, depending on the results achieved and the solutions implemented”.
«Eliminating single-use plastic from a transit place like the airport is not at all a simple challenge but the operators of Bologna Airport are concretely demonstrating how the spirit of will and the right sensitivity can lead us to unexpected goals”.
This is the comment of Luca De Gaetanofounder and president of Plastic Free Onlus.
«The objective is for this pioneering project to be emulated by other Italian airports so as to improve sustainability and environmental impact at all airports in the country. Our volunteer organization will be alongside all companies that want to reduce and gradually completely eliminate plastic, such as disposable plastic which can already have valid alternatives that benefit the environment today, without requiring large investments.”
But let’s get to the second appointment.
Towards a plastic-free Italy: presentation of plastic-free municipalities 2024
While Bologna Marconi Airport strives to revolutionize its approach to single-use plastic, a second event looms on the horizon, promising an epochal change in the entire Italian landscape.
In the evocative Press Room of Montecitorio (Rome), an event promoted by the vice-president of the Chamber of Deputies, the Honorable Sergio Rampelli.
For the occasion, hundreds of municipalities, large and small, applied to obtain the prestigious title of “Comune Plastic Free” in 2024, a turtle-shaped award also created by Plastic Free Onlus.
The challenge to obtain the title is intense and involves rigorous criteria, including the fight against illegal abandonment, raising awareness in the area, virtuous management of urban waste and active collaboration with Plastic Free Onlus.
These pillars have been carefully evaluated by the internal committee of the environmental organization, outlining a complete and committed framework in the fight against excess plastic.
The presentation, sponsored by the European Parliament, the Senate of the Republic and the Chamber of Deputies, confirms the importance and urgency of the issue at an institutional level.
An event that not only celebrates past successes, but lays the foundations for a more sustainable future, encouraging the entire nation to follow the example of Plastic Free Municipalities.
More info on Plastic Free Onluls