Residual Waste Down 59% : ZWE Parma Case Study: Waste Reductions & Increased Recycling Possible
Political will combined with the backing of residents can enable a radical reduction residual waste, create jobs and save the taxpayers money, according to a new case study by Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) on the Italian city of Parma.
ZWE explained the 190,284 inhabitants of Parma previously had separate collections but had a stagnating recycling rate of 45% for some years.
However, in 2012 a citizen-led initiative to move away from waste disposal transformed waste policies and brought a zero waste plan for Parma.
According to ZWE the plan copied and improved on what was already working well in other towns of the zero waste network; intensive kerbside collection and pay-as-you-throw systems together with lots of education, and keeping the system flexible to accommodate further improvements.
The indicator that was used to measure success of the plan was the reduction of residual waste per capita which was said to have been reduced by a staggering 59%, from 283kg to 117kg - in four years.
By 2015 the separate waste collection was found to have risen to 72% and the quality of the materials separated for recycling had also increased.
ZWE said that while the new system of collection is more labour intensive the city has saved €453,736 in comparison with the former system.
The number of waste collectors has increased from 77 to 121 with a number of other indirect jobs also being created. Further, by the end of 2016 Parma will be generating less than 100kg of residual waste per person and is expected to have achieved 80% separate collection and plans are to continue on the path to zero waste.
“Some spend their time finding excuses not to deliver in 2030,” commented Joan Marc Simon, director of ZWE. “Others like the city of Parma prove that a target of 70% recycling and 100kg residual waste per capita is achievable in less than five years.”
The full case study can be downloaded HERE.
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