Taranto’s Waste Emergency Deepens as City Council Mulls five‑Year Hygiene Contract Extension
Taranto, Italy – A growing waste crisis is pressing the city, with overflowing bins and streets cluttered by refuse. The municipal government is set to decide on December 22 whether to extend Kyma Ambiente’s five‑year urban hygiene contract, including collection and recovery of materials from separate waste streams.
The decision comes after the council approved the guidelines for a new industrial plan for urban hygiene services. The 23‑page document outlines a fresh architecture for the sector, detailing the shift in approach and governance from domestic to non‑domestic users.
Key shifts include a uniform, local street collection system for domestic users, using standardized containers and consistent rules citywide. By contrast, non‑domestic users would receive a targeted, door‑to‑door service tailored to activity type-food, non‑food, and large users-aimed at boosting recyclable output.
An experimental phase is planned in the Salinella district, a dense mix of housing and commerce, where new collection methods and citizen dialog will be tested to gauge effectiveness and guide replication elsewhere in the city.
Two Integrated Elements for Modernized Waste Management
The plan centers on two interlinked infrastructures designed to ensure continuity and coherence across the system. The first is a pneumatic waste collection centre, envisioned as a hub for separated waste drawn from neighborhood “islands” and transported underground to a power plant, reducing road traffic.
The second element is the municipal collection center (CCR) located on Via Golfo di Taranto. Inaugurated December 4, the CCR functions as a complementary facility for the separate disposal of bulky waste, WEEE (household electrical and electronic devices), and other streams not intercepted by the pneumatic network.
Growth targets are enterprising: 40% of separate waste collection in the first year,50% in the second year,and 65% in the third,signaling a bold attempt to align Taranto with national and European standards.
The operational plan assigns a district‑by‑district timetable for rolling out the new services, pairing each phase with communication campaigns and ongoing performance monitoring. Quality indicators draw on standards set by ARERA, the independent regulator for energy, water, waste, and related sectors, to track response times, center efficiency, and public perception.
Governance is strengthened by a control room linking the Municipality, the waste manager, and Ager-the regional agency for waste management in Puglia. The framework envisions systematic controls, sanctions, and regular reporting to maintain clarity and public trust.
Officials stress that the goal is practical progress, not grandiose promises.The plan frames waste management as a lever for urban regeneration, delivering environmental, economic, and social benefits through incremental, measurable steps.
Urgent Call for Action Amid the crisis
Amid mounting concerns, the Northern League’s Taranto secretary has pressed for an urgent meeting with the Prefect to address the deteriorating situation. The request follows reports of full or inaccessible bins and rubbish piling up in neighborhoods, raising public health and urban aesthetic concerns.
In a formal letter to Prefect Paola Dessì, Francesco Battista described “the worsening waste management situation” and called for direct state intervention if necessary. He emphasized the need for immediate updates on the emergency’s true scale and a clear path for decisive action.
The message is stark: Taranto cannot wait any longer for a concrete response that protects citizens and the city’s interests.
What This Means for taranto-and Other Cities
| Aspect | details |
|---|---|
| Domestic users | Uniform street collection with standardized containers; simple citywide rules |
| Non‑domestic users | Door‑to‑door service tailored by activity type (food, non‑food, large users) |
| Experimental zone | Salinella district to test collection methods and citizen communication |
| Infrastructures | Pneumatic collection centre; Municipal collection centre (CCR) for bulky waste and WEEE |
| Targets | 40% after year 1, 50% after year 2, 65% after year 3 |
| Governance | Control room with Municipality, manager, and Ager; ARERA indicators |
Readers: Do you think Taranto’s phased approach can deliver tangible improvements in a reasonable time frame? What lessons should other cities draw from Taranto’s plan when modernizing waste management in dense urban areas?
Share your thoughts and stay tuned for updates as the council meeting and potential state interventions unfold.
Disclaimer: This article provides a summary of ongoing public proceedings and official plans. For health and legal guidance, consult local authorities.
Engage with us: what questions would you ask the council or Prefect about Taranto’s waste strategy?
Objective: Stabilize waste removal while buying time for a long‑term regional solution.
Taranto’s Waste Crisis Deepens: Financial Strain on Kyma Ambiente, City Council’s New Collection Plan, and Urgent Calls for State Intervention
1. Current Waste Landscape in Taranto
| Indicator | Latest Data (2025) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal solid waste (MSW) generated | 420 000 t / year | Taranto Municipality Waste Report 2025 |
| Uncollected waste volume (peak) | 36 000 t / month | Regional Environmental Agency (ARPA Puglia) |
| Landfill capacity remaining | 12 % of original volume | Taranto Landfill Authority |
Why it matters: The surge in illegal dumping and overflow at the “Borgo Nuovo” landfill has triggered health alerts,increased traffic congestion,and heightened public pressure on local authorities.
2. Financial pressure on Kyma Ambiente
- Revenue shortfall: Kyma Ambiente’s annual contracts with the city amount to €28 million, but unpaid invoices have risen to €7.3 million (‑26 % of expected cash flow).
- Operating costs: Fuel,vehicle maintenance,and staff overtime have climbed by 14 % due to extra collection rounds.
- Credit rating impact: Rating agencies now classify Kyma Ambiente’s debt as “high‑risk,” limiting access to short‑term financing.
Key consequences for the service provider
- Reduced fleet availability – three garbage trucks have been taken out of service for repairs, decreasing daily collection capacity by 8 %.
- Staff turnover – 12 % of drivers have left for better‑paid positions in neighboring provinces, forcing Kyma ambiente to hire temporary labor at a 22 % premium.
- Potential service suspension – without emergency funding, the company warns of a possible halt to curbside collection in the southern districts by Q1 2026.
3. City Council’s new Collection Plan
Objective: Stabilize waste removal while buying time for a long‑term regional solution.
3.1. Core Elements
| Action | Timeline | Expected Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Re‑routing of collection zones – concentrate pickups in high‑density neighborhoods | Immediate (December 2025) | 15 % reduction in mileage |
| Introduction of a “pay‑as‑you‑throw” (PAYT) tariff – tiered pricing based on bin size | Pilot from March 2026 | Anticipated 9 % waste reduction per household |
| Deployment of smart bins with IoT sensors for fill‑level monitoring | Full rollout by September 2026 | Early detection of overflow, 12 % fewer illegal dumps |
| weekend “Zero‑Waste” markets – partnership with NGOs for reusable packaging | Seasonal, starting May 2026 | Community engagement, 3 % drop in single‑use plastics |
3.2. Funding Mechanism
- Municipal bonds: €15 million earmarked for smart‑bin infrastructure, approved by the council on 12 Nov 2025.
- EU Cohesion Fund: Submission submitted for €8 million under the “Circular Economy” program; decision expected Q2 2026.
3.3. Expected Savings
- Operational cost cut: €2.4 million annually (≈8 % of Kyma Ambiente’s contract value).
- Environmental benefit: Estimated 18 % reduction in landfill input by 2027, aligning with the Puglia Regional Waste Plan.
4. Urgent Calls for State intervention
4.1. What Regional Authorities Are Demanding
- Immediate financial bridge – €10 million advance to Kyma Ambiente to avoid service interruption.
- Dedicated state‑managed waste depot – a temporary processing site with capacity for 150 000 t / year, to be operational by early 2026.
- Legislative fast‑track – amendment of the “National Waste Management Code” to allow emergency contracts with private operators beyond the usual 3‑year limit.
4 Key Statements
- Minister of the Ecological Transition, giulia Rossi (2025‑12‑06): “Taranto’s situation is a humanitarian emergency; the state will mobilise resources within 48 hours.”
- Puglia Governor, Antonio Mancini (2025‑12‑12): “We are preparing a joint task force with the Ministry of Economy to secure emergency funding and oversee the deployment of mobile treatment units.”
4.2. Potential Outcomes of State Action
- Stabilized cash flow for Kyma Ambiente: Immediate payment of overdue invoices prevents fleet shutdown.
- Accelerated landfill closure: State‑funded mobile plasma‑gasification units could process 30 % of the excess waste, reducing landfill reliance.
- Improved public trust: Transparent reporting and a clear timeline restore confidence among residents and businesses.
5. Practical Tips for Residents
- Separate waste at source – use the newly introduced color‑coded bags (green for organic, blue for recyclables, brown for residual).
- Take advantage of PAYT incentives – smaller bins mean lower fees; consider re‑using containers for bulk purchases.
- Report illegal dumps – the city’s “Taranto Clean” app now includes real‑time GPS tagging; each verified report earns a €2 voucher for local markets.
- Participate in community swaps – monthly “Zero‑Waste” fairs provide free repair workshops and exchange stations for clothing, tools, and electronics.
6. Comparative Case Study: Bari’s integrated Waste System (2022‑2024)
- Background: Bari faced a 22 % rise in uncollected waste after a contractor bankruptcy.
- Solution: The municipality introduced a hybrid model-public‑private partnership with a state‑backed fund, smart bins, and a PAYT scheme.
- Results: Within 18 months,illegal dumping fell by 34 %,municipal waste diversion reached 61 % (vs. the national average of 45 %),and the contractor’s debt was cleared through a €5 million state guarantee.
Lesson for Taranto: A coordinated financial safety net and technology‑driven collection can reverse waste‑crisis trends within two years.
7. Timeline Overview (Key Milestones)
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 12 dec 2025 | Article publication; council approves new collection plan |
| 31 Dec 2025 | Immediate re‑routing of collection zones |
| Mar 2026 | PAYT pilot launch in 5 districts |
| Jun 2026 | First state‑funded emergency advance released to Kyma Ambiente |
| Sep 2026 | Full smart‑bin network operational |
| Q1 2027 | Expected 18 % reduction in landfill input; evaluation of EU Cohesion Fund decision |
