Among food waste, car movements, plane and bus, and incorrect waste disposal, the Easteralso in consideration of the greater consumption by families, risks representing a danger on the environmental front. The alarm is launched today by Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA)which suggests citizens responsible to limit the environmental impact of the holidays.
Food waste
The first alarm concerns the food waste – explains Sima. It is estimated that every year in Italy about 10% of foods and preparations related to the entire Easter holidays ending up in the garbage, between 150 and 200 million euros of food. Among the most wasted products they include fruit, vegetables, bread, dairy products and meat, but also sweets are among the most at risk voices, also for a psychological effect linked to a sense of addiction of citizens at the end of the holidays. Greater waste production determines an increase in the level of pollution: a ton of food waste produces 4.2 tons of CO2.
Waste disposal
And always on the subject of waste, many citizens do not know the rules for properly disposing of the packaging of doves and Easter eggs, Sima warns. The metallic external casing of the chocolate eggs, for example, is made of polypropylene and must therefore end in the plastic collection, where the glass placed at the base of the eggs and the transparent sachet that contains any surprises also goes. The cardboard affixed to the eggs must instead be disposed of in the paper. The cord that closes the egg deserves aside: since it is a fabric with Tex Code 62 (textiles other than cotton or jute) it is necessary to check the provisions of your municipality.
Disming of doves
For the dove, however, the external box goes in the collection of paper, the transparent wrapping in plastic, the packaging handle and the baking dish surrounding the product instead go to the undifferentiated.
Impact of transport
During the Easter period then the movements of citizens are growing, using private cars, planes, bus to move along the peninsula or spend days abroad – adds Sima. The greater appeal to the means of transport has direct impacts on air pollution, through the introduction of fine dust tons (PM10, PM2.5) and toxic substances such as nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere.
Positive measures by manufacturers
However, a positive news comes from Easter eggs: in recent years the producers have adopted measures to reduce the environmental impacts of surpluses. So what happened to the invented chocolate eggs? After a first phase of promotional sale in supermarkets with discounted prices up to 60%, the eggs are reused by the same manufacturers for the preparation of other desserts. Not only that. Thanks to the tax benefits provided for by Italian law, producers can donate the invented goods for social purposes. Finally, part of the invented eggs is intended for composting for the production of compost or humus, and become natural fertilizers to cultivate the land – concludes the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine.
Tips for citizens
“Citizens can make a difference through responsible choices and correct behaviors – says the president Alessandro Miani – It is possible to break down waste through a targeted expenditure before the holidays, carefully planning food purchases, correctly preserving the products in the fridge, freezing the leftovers of the holidays or reusing them to create new recipes, or by giving the remaining surpluses remained at home through appropriate apps “.