From the Lakes of Trentino to Naples, Marco Miori, almost 80 years old, runs through a thousand kilometers by bicycle to celebrate the plastic free 2025 municipalities. His journey is not only a personal adventure, but a powerful awareness message against plastic pollution and an exhortation to sustainability
An extraordinary company: from Trento to Naples for a cleaner Italy
Marco Miori, local contact person of the Association Plastic Free Onlusstarted from the hamlet of Padergnone (Trento), in the municipality of Vallelaghi, with the energy and determination of those who still have a lot to say and do for the future of the planet. His goal was to achieve Naples in time for the award ceremony of “Comuni Plastic Free 2025”on March 8 at the Mediterranean theater.
Miori, faces this solo company, showing that age is not a limit when the will is guided by an important cause. His adventure develops along a path that crosses some of the most significant cities in Italy, passing from Lake Garda to Mantua, and then takes the Via del Sole to Bologna. From there he continues through the passage of the Ramosa and the Passo della Futa to reach Florence, and from this stage he descends along the Tyrrhenian coast, with Rome as an intermediate stage before arriving in Naples.
«The world runs and often seems to forget the’essentiality of the simplest things», Says the sportsman. “This is why I wanted to give life to this challenge. Many will look at my age and will take me crazy, but I have always breathed adventure in my life and the courage has never failed».
It is not the first time that the cyclist tackles a business of this type, but this time the meaning is even deeper. His journey is an alarm cry against plastic pollution and uncontrolled urbanization, a way to remind everyone that nature always has priority compared to cement and asphalt.
«I want to remind everyone of the priority of nature on cement, on’asphalt and plastic“, He says with determination.
Plastic Free Onlus: a movement for change
Since 2019, Plastic Free Onlus has been engaged in the fight against plastic pollution and awareness of citizens. Through environmental cleaning initiatives, educational campaigns and collaborations with local administrations, the Association aims for the drastic reduction of the use of disposable plastic and the promotion of a more sustainable lifestyle.
Miori, who has been part of this movement since 2020, has found a concrete opportunity in plastic free to transform his passion for nature into a tangible action. He did not limit himself to denouncing the problem on social networks or complaining about the state of the environment: he decided to act, taking the field together with other volunteers.
«I was tired of seeing waste in streams and parks. Denouncing on social networks was not enough, because he would only deface the’image of my land. With volunteers in blue jersey, however, we can act concretely“, explains.
The objective of the association is not only to clean up the territory, but to trigger a cultural change. A change that must start from the daily habits of each individual citizen and the political choices of local administrations.
Municipalities Plastic Free 2025: recognition for 122 virtuous administrations
Miori’s journey is also a tribute to the 122 municipal administrations that will receive the prestigious recognition this year “Comune Plastic Free 2025”. This prize is awarded to villages, towns and cities that have distinguished themselves for the commitment to reduce plastic and for the adoption of advanced ecological practices.
«My support goes to them, while I invite all the other municipalities to follow their example. Small interventions, put together, can lead to a concrete change», He underlines.
Many reward municipalities have started innovative policies to reduce the use of plastic, encouraging the use of biodegradable materials, improving separate collection and promoting the creation of cycle paths and green areas. Miori believes that the car is necessary in some cases, but not always indispensable. Argues that a municipality that invests in sustainable mobility And green spaces can really make the difference for the future of humanity.
The impact of plastic on health and the environment
Plastic pollution is not only an environmental problem, but has very serious repercussions on human health and ecosystems. Scientific studies have shown that plastic dispersed in the environment is fragmented into microplastics, tiny particles that end up in food, water and even in the air we breathe. According to theWhetherSan adult ingests up to 5 grams of plastic per week, an amount that is equivalent to the weight of a credit card. The microplastics They were found in the blood and even in the human brain. Which raises concerns about possible damage to health.
The oceans are the main victims of this emergency. Every year, over 8 million tons of plastic They end up at sea, causing the death of millions of marine animals. Turtles, fish and sea birds ingest it by exchanging them for food or remain trapped in waste, with lethal consequences.
This phenomenon also has devastating effects on the food chain, with the risk that the toxins accumulated in synthetic residues can enter our diet through fish consumption.
The production and disposal of these polluting materials also have a significant impact on climate change. The CO₂ emissions deriving from the synthetic polymers are very high and, if this material was a country, it would be the fifth largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world.
A journey to inspire change
While Marco Miori continues his race towards Naples, his message becomes increasingly clear. Each gesture counts and each of us has the opportunity to contribute to a cleaner world.
Plastic-free is not a utopia, but a necessity. His business is a symbol of hope and an invitation to action, so that more and more people and administrations unite in the struggle for a more sustainable future.
«We have only one planet. We have to protect it today, if we want to leave it to our children tomorrow ».
