Italian towns launch crackdown on illegal waste dumping

In Monreale, Sicily, municipal officials identified a large open‑air dump on Via Pezzingoli near number 69, consisting of bags of trash, plastic, cardboard and bulky waste. The town’s urban hygiene assessor, Giulio Mannino, called the situation "unacceptable" and announced an immediate clean‑up, the installation of surveillance cameras at strategic points, and the pursuit of heavy fines against those caught abandoning waste.

In Andria, Apulia, residents of the Santa Maria Vetere district reported a similar illegally dumped waste pile in the green area of Via Dante Di Nanni. They warned of fire risk from overgrown vegetation and infestations of rodents and insects, and urged the municipality to remove the waste, cut the grass, and add police surveillance cameras. Local authorities have been asked to act quickly to restore the park for community use.