Recycling scheme on Rome underground
Source: Mauricio Artieda on Unsplash
Plastic-for-tickets: Free travel for recycling in Rome
Under the scheme, passengers accrue credit for every plastic bottle they recycle which can be used to purchase metro tickets.
Travellers in Rome are being offered free metro tickets in exchange for plastic bottles as part of a scheme to make the city more environmentally friendly.The plastic-for-tickets venture, launched by the Italian capital's public transport company ATAC, is currently running at three stations.
But transport chiefs have said because the public response to the initiative has been positive, the plan is to extend it across the whole metro network until July 2020.
Under the scheme, passengers can deposit plastic bottles at stations in exchange for a €0.05 credit that can be spent to purchase online tickets.
They need to download an app onto their mobile phones which registers the number of tickets they have earned on the basis of the number of bottles fed into the recycling machines.
A standard ticket - valid for one metro ride or 100 minutes on all buses allowing transfers - costs €1.50 so an individual would have to recycle 30 bottles to afford it.
The metro turnstiles can directly read the app on mobile phones, so those taking part do not need to buy a paper ticket.
The scheme has been welcomed by residents who have watched the city's streets become swamped with rubbish due to a collection problem and inefficient recycling facilities.
The bins of the Eternal City are overflowing - and in June doctors warned of a serious health risk amid the summer heatwave.
It has been a long-running problem since the city was left with no major site to treat the 1.7 million metric tons it produces every year when the Malagrotta landfill was closed in 2013.
"The situation is quite disastrous," said Stefano Ciafani, president of environment group Legambiente.
"Rome has failed to create an efficient system for differentiated waste collection, as Milan has done, and it has not built the recycling plants that are fundamental for a city where three million people live.
"If the waste treatment plant is closed and no recycling plants are created on the territory, the waste will continue to be exported outside the region as it is today."
Do you think recycling could be improved in Madrid? How?
Comments
The scheme is that passengers deposit plastic bottles for recycling machines. These machines recycle plastic bottles and its send, at the same time, a message to app that the public transport company ATAC has created. Passengers are going to accrue credit for plastic bottles and they download them in that app credits with which can be spent to purchase online tickets of the underground of Rome. The “game” is to change plastic bottles by tickets of the underground. Only these tickets serve at three stations.
It´s good to environment because they recycle plastic bottles and passengers don´t use plastic tickets in the turnstile of the underground, they can directly read the app in mobile phones. Also it´s good for the company ATAC because it saves the paper of the ticket and, as it is a public transport company, it due to give public service.
I think it´s a good idea. The most important thing is that this scheme serves to make aware about importance of recycling and avoid plastic things in the daily life, especially if this makes a scene to young people.
In my opinion, people recycle in Madrid, more or less. I don´t know if this is enough. I think that the problem is in the local government that doesn´t put means to pick up the goods which people leave in the container. If you go through the street you will see goods are out of container.
See you.
When I lived in Rome, it was very easy to use public transport without paying. Many people, perhaps even the majority, did not buy a ticket for the underground or bus. However, you had to keep an eye out for ticket inspectors.
I imagine there will be long queues at these machines and arguements will break out regularly. I know I wouldn't have the patience.
I have always done my best to recycle and it drives me mad when I see others not bothering to do the same.
The scheme is that passengers deposit plastic bottles for recycling machines. These machines recycle plastic bottles and send, at the same time, a message to an app that the public transport company ATAC has created. Passengers are going to accrue credit for plastic bottles and then be able to purchase online tickets for the Rome underground. The “game” is to exchange plastic bottles for underground tickets. The machines can only be found at three stations.
It´s good for the environment because they recycle plastic bottles and passengers don´t use plastic tickets in the turnstile of the underground - they can directly read the app on their mobile phones. Also, it´s good for the company ATAC because it saves the paper of the ticket and, as it is a public transport company, it must provide a service.
I think it´s a good idea. The most important thing is that this scheme helps to make people aware of the importance of recycling and avoid plastic things in their daily lives, especially as this is a good example to young people.
In my opinion, people, generally speaking, recycle in Madrid. I don´t know if this is enough. I think that the problem is with the local government which doesn´t empty the bins enough. If you go along the street, you will see goods are left at the side of the containers.