The Regional Department for Environmental Protection, ANCI Sardinia, and the Union of Sardinian Provinces today sent a joint report to the Prefects of Cagliari, Nuoro, Oristano, and Sassari on the serious critical issues affecting the management of plastic packaging waste on the island.
The letter, signed by Rosanna Laconi, Regional Councillor for Environmental Protection, Daniela Falconi, President of ANCI Sardinia, and Mauro Usai, President of the Union of Sardinian Provinces, reconstructs the progressive worsening of the situation caused by the irregularity and inadequacy of collections ensured by COREPLA . This situation has led to the saturation of sorting and storage platforms, first in northern and then southern Sardinia , raising the risk of slowdowns or interruptions to municipal collection services.
In recent weeks, the Regional Department for the Environment has promoted discussions with the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, CONAI, and COREPLA, and, in agreement with ANCI and UPI Sardegna, has initiated extraordinary coordination with local authorities, operators, selection platforms, and industrial consortia. This work has enabled the identification of new areas for temporary storage and the transfer of additional quantities of material ordered by COREPLA to facilities on the mainland.
However, these solutions do not address the causes of the crisis . The progressive exhaustion of available capacity could lead to further suspensions of deliveries , with consequences for the continuity of collection services and possible environmental, health, and organizational impacts.
The joint communication highlights the need for COREPLA to ensure full and timely fulfillment of the obligations regarding the collection and recycling or recovery of the materials delivered , as set out in the ANCI-CONAI 2026-2029 National Framework Agreement, the related technical annexes and the resulting agreements.
The Prefects were provided with an updated overview of the situation so that they could assess, within their respective spheres of competence, whether to bring the seriousness of the current critical issues and the risks associated with their further worsening to the attention of the central administration and the Government . Particular importance is given to Sardinia's insularity , recognized by Article 119 of the Constitution, which limits the immediately available logistical alternatives and increases the region's exposure to the consequences of any slowdowns or interruptions in flows.
THE MEETING – This morning , Councilor Laconi also met with the Presidents of the Provinces, the Mayors of the Metropolitan Cities of Sardinia, and the President of ANCI Sardinia . During the meeting, they shared strong concerns about the potential worsening of the emergency in the coming weeks and the need to take all possible and necessary measures, within their respective responsibilities. These include the immediate identification of additional suitable spaces to be temporarily allocated for the storage of any new excess plastic packaging waste.
The urgently implemented solutions will alleviate the immediate pressure, but they remain temporary and limited in capacity. The crisis can only be overcome through the restoration of regular, adequate, and continuous collections by COREPLA and national coordination that effectively takes into account the logistical disadvantages resulting from insularity. The Department will continue to take all initiatives within its remit, but contingent measures cannot replace the supply chain's own responsibilities.
"Municipalities are providing an essential service to their communities with a great sense of responsibility and cannot be left alone to deal with the consequences of disruptions beyond their control. Regional Environment Councillor Rosanna Laconi stated, "It is necessary to ensure continuity of waste deliveries and collections, protecting citizens and local authorities from further inconvenience. Institutional cooperation is complete, but it must be accompanied by clear and timely responses from all responsible parties."
"The Provinces and Metropolitan Cities," added ANCI Sardinia President Daniela Falconi, "have confirmed their full availability to contribute to territorial coordination and the reconnaissance of additional areas as needed. This commitment is made in the best interests of the communities and to prevent more serious consequences. Temporary storage, however, cannot become a structural solution: we must address the causes of the crisis and restore reliable, adequate, and continuous collection flows."
According to the president of UPI Sardinia, Mauro Usai, the Regional Department for Environmental Protection, ANCI Sardinia, and UPI Sardinia "will jointly continue monitoring and liaising with local institutions, keeping the Prefectures constantly updated on the evolving situation."