Food Matters Study Tour in Milan - Day 4 and Closing Thoughts
Day 4
The fourth day we visited another waste company outside of Venice. This is a 100% public company owned by a consortium of 49 municipalities. First we observed waste collection in a neighborhood.
Back at headquarters, the company gave us a presentation followed by a tour of the waste collection and sorting facility, compost facility, and diaper recycling facility. We learned about the public outreach aspect which includes a magazine, calendar, website, social media, branch offices, public tours, curriculum modules, and more.
The sorting facility was interesting but the diaper recycling facility was even more interesting. They collect used disposable diapers from households, autoclave them to kill the bacteria, and used a unique patented process to separate out the plastic film, and the stuffing which are then recycled.
The compost facility was really cool because they utilized a complex conveyor belt system to transport the compost from one area to another and to move it as it is curing. I've never seen anything like it. The compost was comprised of roughly equal parts food waste and yard waste. At this location like the others we had visited, all types of food waste were accepted along with the bio bags which are used for storing the food waste before it is collected.
Final Thoughts
I very much appreciated the opportunity to learn about the food waste reduction and disposal system in Northern Italy. It was impressive how well the public separates its waste properly. I am very interested by the policies that back the system, driving demand and making the economics for these facilities work. It was so beneficial to meet the representatives from other U.S. cities who are working in the area of food waste. We exchanged ideas and challenges, and I wish we had more time together. All together, it was a wonderful trip, and it gives me hope that we can implement some of these practices here in Baltimore!
The fourth day we visited another waste company outside of Venice. This is a 100% public company owned by a consortium of 49 municipalities. First we observed waste collection in a neighborhood.
Back at headquarters, the company gave us a presentation followed by a tour of the waste collection and sorting facility, compost facility, and diaper recycling facility. We learned about the public outreach aspect which includes a magazine, calendar, website, social media, branch offices, public tours, curriculum modules, and more.
The sorting facility was interesting but the diaper recycling facility was even more interesting. They collect used disposable diapers from households, autoclave them to kill the bacteria, and used a unique patented process to separate out the plastic film, and the stuffing which are then recycled.
The compost facility was really cool because they utilized a complex conveyor belt system to transport the compost from one area to another and to move it as it is curing. I've never seen anything like it. The compost was comprised of roughly equal parts food waste and yard waste. At this location like the others we had visited, all types of food waste were accepted along with the bio bags which are used for storing the food waste before it is collected.
Final Thoughts
I very much appreciated the opportunity to learn about the food waste reduction and disposal system in Northern Italy. It was impressive how well the public separates its waste properly. I am very interested by the policies that back the system, driving demand and making the economics for these facilities work. It was so beneficial to meet the representatives from other U.S. cities who are working in the area of food waste. We exchanged ideas and challenges, and I wish we had more time together. All together, it was a wonderful trip, and it gives me hope that we can implement some of these practices here in Baltimore!
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