Dear Union,
I would like to point out that I am a citizen of Cagliari who pays over 450 euros of Tari per year. It seems to me a sufficiently discreet sum to allow me to ask for an efficient waste management service. Instead, no, I am here to tell you about my day (my days) between the ecological island and the eco-center.
It happens that I had to dispose of six cushions from an old sofa, some cardboard, some broken glass from some old paintings and some unusable books. First stop, Pirri recycling centre. Only with glass (one bag), cardboard (two boxes) and books (one of those resistant supermarket bags).
Before continuing: the staff at the various centers were kind, all of them, and even supportive. So the problem is upstream.
Pirri, I was saying. Answer: no, cardboard can't be thrown away here. No, glass can't be thrown away here. The first is not paper, even if when they deliver smaller quantities under the house they collect it with the paper. And the second is undoubtedly glass. But, my fault, it is considered undifferentiated. First result: I can only leave a few books, and there were too many. They advise me to go to Sant'Elia. "And via San Paolo?", I ask. Answer: "If they don't reactivate the incinerator, that too is an ecological island, not an eco-centre, so it works like here". So: it is practically useless.
I look at the time. The Sant'Elia eco-centre closes at 8pm, it's 7:10pm. I take a chance. I wait in line for a bit, not much to be honest. Then it's my turn. The employee looks at the car: "Gentlemen, the bulky waste tomorrow, they've already taken the container away". So? "So tomorrow". I ask if I can at least leave the cardboard. I'm allowed to. Then they explain: "Come tomorrow morning. But not at 8am", which is the opening time, "but at 9 or 9:30. That way you're sure to find the container". They're not to blame. I accept. I leave.
I should be working the next morning, but my car is full of waste. I call the office, I'll be a little late. And at 9:15 the next day I'm back in Sant'Elia. Problem: I'm not the only one there. There are many other citizens who, like me, I imagine, pay the Tari. And they have to dispose of it. All in line. I stay there for a solid hour. I point out that in the meantime the line of cars has been opened up like the Red Sea to make room for a truck with the city's insignia on the side. "Well, you know, we're working." I'm not, I'm not working even though I should be. But does it make sense to argue? Maybe, but I'll go along with it.
