Italian towns clash over waste fees and service disruptions

On 4 June, a municipal council debated the town’s waste‑management budget, approving a modest 1.5 % increase in TARI tariffs for 2026‑2029 and allocating roughly €180 000 for the financial plan. A contested €40 000 purchase of a private chapel and adjacent cemetery land for a public parking space sparked sharp opposition from opposition councillors, who argued the asset already existed in the public perimeter.

In Empoli, residents reported missed door‑to‑door waste collections following a major reorganisation of the Alia service, which introduced internal staff and new operational procedures. Mayor Alessio Mantellassi pressed Alia for an “extraordinary” response, and the company deployed additional crews and a monitoring plan to accelerate removals and restore regular service.

Both stories illustrate local disputes over waste‑handling costs, service quality and the allocation of public funds in Italian municipalities.