1. Medio Olona Park News

2. Still a lot to go for recycling Since 2003 A particular jury composed of representatives of Legambiente and Anci ( Association of Italian Municipalities ) has given a special price to the local authorities “ Masters of Recycling “ the citizens of which have been particularly active in the process of rubbish segregation. In 2007, the promoters were particularly pleased to announce that the “ Masters of Recycling “ were up to 300. They join the group of other 850 which had already been awarded the year before. The total number has now reached over 1000. At least 35% of municipal waste was recycled. This is certainly due to the growing number of partecipating administrations. However, there are still municipalities which show some problems, for example Castellanza, which was eliminated from the list of the “ Masters of Recycling “ because the new administration has not been able to respect the criteria required.

3. 'Pact of responsibility‘ at a start On 14° April 2007 the project Co.Ri, Condividere con la comunità locale le scelte in materia di Rifiuti, ( sharing decisions about waste disposal with the local community ) was officially presented. This is the first step of an important change in the approach to the problem of waste disposal in the whole Province of Varese. This is actually the first time in our province and probably in Italy, that important decisions have been taken through a process of sharing ideas between local authority and citizens. The new method is based on a 'pact of responsibility’ founded on partecipation. Key aspects discussed at the first general meeting were the sense of partecipation and the main topic of waste disposal.

4. Pact on waste disposal at the finish line The latest meeting of the Project Co.Ri. Was opened by the discussion and the approval of the mail goals for a policy of treatment of municipal waste. Main focus has been put on the need for every citizen/consumer has to reconsider his/her own life-style and consuming habits Under discussion was also the ways to ensure complete and quick information to citizens, through regular updates about waste collection services as well as about the management of local plants. Among the main goals we can also find the will to reach self- sufficiency in the treatment of municipal waste, the correct management of services while taking care of environmental impact and ensuring a regular involvement of local communities in the decision-making process.

5. The river Olona under lifting The Interregional Agency for the River Po (Aipo) and the Province of Varese have presented a common agreement on the project of reinforcing the river banks and improving the capacity of deflow of the river Olona within the end of this year. The Agency will provide an extraordinary contribution of € 600,000 for extraordinary maintainance. The works along the river have been started and interrupted several times. The area affected by the works is located in a system of regional and local parks and is an important element of the national “ ecologic path “ which runs from Canton Ticino ( Switzerland ) through the valleys of the rivers Lanza and Olona, an ideal habitat for several important animal species.

6. CREDITS Alex Buriolla Elena La Cognata 3° grade IGEA - Liceo Istituto “ E. Fermi “ Workshops in Castellanza 22-26 October 2007