Nago-Torbole’s Illegal Dumping Spoils View and Environment

From the street of Maza, the view is breathtaking. There is a turnout where one can enjoy an almost complete vista of the Linfano plain, along the last stretch of the Sarca River, all the way down to the lake. Not a detail escapes from there. Unfortunately, neither does the gigantic, unmanageable pile of waste right beneath. A real eye-sore.

Landfill and area conditions

And this isn’t about the district landfill. That one, which is “controlled,” is undoubtedly behind those who look. The shapeless, piled-up mass occupying almost the entire strip along the embankment runs from the hydroelectric plant to the cooperativa don Gioppi condominium. It may come as a surprise to many, but the responsible entity for this horror is the Comune di Nago-Torbole.

Use of the municipal area and waste storage

This trend has persisted for years and has been handed down from one administration to another. The municipal area, closed off with a barrier, naturally serves as a storage site (notably missing is a proper warehouse). There are also containers for bulky waste collection from residents. However, these items are left to remain there permanently.

Waste and materials found

By taking a closer look in the midst of it all, one discovers: old iron of various origins (old streetlights, the former pier of the Circolo Vela), flowerpots no longer suitable for urban decoration. Recently added are floodbags meant for flood control. All scattered in great disorder, without even a minimal fence to somewhat conceal the debris from view.

Accumulation of materials and pollution

What is truly shocking is the pile of landfill materials. Once again, there is everything. The most numerous are the (crushed) stacks of wood collected a couple of years ago from Garda after the Sarca floods. It was meant to be a temporary storage during the emergency. However, there are also heaps of debris probably dumped directly from street sweepers, as well as materials from recent demolitions. Certainly, all inert and non-polluting materials. But this should not serve as an excuse for the Comune (bad example).

Any waste should—preferably after attempting to recycle it—be properly disposed of at a legitimate landfill. Even if only out of greater respect for the beautiful landscape.