Italian firms cut plastic waste: Bayer drops aspirin film, Portici switches to reusable fish crates

Bayer Italy eliminated the plastic film that wrapped Cardioaspirina tablets at its Garbagnate Milanese plant. The change removes about 25 tonnes of polypropylene each year – roughly 5 million metres of plastic – and cuts CO₂ emissions by an estimated 70 tonnes. The project, driven by CEO Arianna Gregis, is part of Bayer’s Dynamic shared ownership model and may be replicated in other sites.

The municipality of Portici in Campania introduced reusable polypropylene crates for the fishery supply chain, replacing single‑use polystyrene. The crates are washable, micro‑chip tracked and managed by the Flag Litorale Miglio d’Oro programme, with funding from the regional government and FEAMP. The initiative involves local health authorities, the University of Naples Federico II and the Coast Guard, aiming to create a circular‑economy system that reduces marine pollution and waste.