Circular economy: from Veneto to Sardinia, the map of reuse centers

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Reuse centers to revive no longer used goods. Whether it’s sweaters or furniture, working appliances or bicycles and toys, it makes no difference. If they are still valid, rather than letting them end up in landfill through separate waste collection, it is better to take them to reuse centers because once they have been disposed of they can be used by other people. All in a new path that brings together sustainability, circular economy and solidarity. It is the new life of used but still usable goods.

The list of centers in Veneto

For years, especially in the past, this activity has been supported by parishes and lay associations to support those in need. Now the phenomenon is more widespread and structured and is developed through regional regulations and plans.

It is no coincidence that the Regions have also defined the lines of intervention within the programs. As happens in Veneto where the Region has networked all the structures where goods can be brought for reuse, giving rise to what the promoters themselves define as “virtuous behaviour”. Precisely with this in mind, the regional list of reuse centers was established in which «the structures compliant with the regional guidelines that undertake to communicate annually the types and quantities of the goods conferred, present in the center, delivered to users and sent for recovery or disposal”.

Genoa and Turin

Not just an act of solidarity but also a way to reach the goal of reducing the production of urban waste. Reuse and shelter centers have been operating in Genoa for years. These are spaces that have the objective of reducing the production of waste to be disposed of and, at the same time, encourage the reuse of all objects or even materials that are still reusable.

The objective is to also provide support to sensitive sections of the population. For years also in the metropolitan city of Torino reuse centers like the one carried out by the Triciclo social cooperative function. The objects that arrive at the center can have two fates: what is no longer usable becomes waste while what is reusable or only needs small repairs can be donated to Triciclo. The reuse center then takes care of selecting the donated goods and evaluating their condition to subsequently put them on sale or send them to the collection center if they are no longer reusable.