My previous reports have examined the Naples garbage crisis and its
development in recent months. The general buzz about town is that
things are improving and today's predicted announcement that Naples
is past the worst of it's problems is welcome. Many, however,
continue to wonder what the future will hold.
These images show photos taken of sites in late June
contrasted with photos taken today, July 18th. In some instances
there has been improvement, in others the situation has stayed the
same. The Italian Government stated that its new efforts will
concentrate on the development of a more sophisticated collection
system. Without this system in place now, however, the piles will
continue to regenerate.
Many piles have gone untouched, others have been cleared
away, but no alternative dumping site was proposed. Other dumpsters
are emptied regularly, but the overflowing trash sits right beside
the empty dumpster and is not removed.
Garbage lining the country roads is in close proximity to the
regions buffalo ranches used to produce the premier regional
product, mozzarella di buffala. In March investigations showed that
a small percentage of the product was made with milk contaminated
by dioxins. These chemicals were a direct result of illegal dumping
and burning of garbage.
The final image of a man throwing garbage onto an illegal
dumpsite displays what be the government's biggest
problem...educating the public and changing the habits developed
over the last decade.
In response to assignment:
iReport for CNN