Trento Incinerator: Petition Launched to Block Plant Construction

The citizens of Trentino are once again raising their voices against the construction of a new waste incineration plant, a project that threatens to saddle the region with outdated technology for the next decade. This initiative, spearheaded by Onda, the Movimento 5 Stelle, and Rifondazione Comunista, revives the spirit of public participation seen in a 2003 referendum, aiming to halt the current plans for the Ischia Podetti facility.

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Trentino risks investing the next 8-10 years in a plant that, due to its characteristics and construction times, would already be obsolete.

As highlighted by provincial councilor Filippo Degasperi, the core concern is that Trentino risks investing heavily in an infrastructure that will be obsolete by the time it's completed. This is particularly galling given the clear direction of European policies, which increasingly emphasize waste reduction, the promotion of durable products, and the right to repair. To push for an incinerator now, when the future lies in circular economy principles, seems not just short-sighted but a fundamental misstep.

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European policies are already moving in another direction, which is recovery, the creation of more durable products, and the right to repair.

Instead of locking ourselves into a costly, outdated system, we have the opportunity to choose a more innovative and sustainable path. The proponents of the petition suggest investing in modular systems with local businesses for material recovery, fostering local industry and innovation. Furthermore, enhancing separate waste collection can position Trentino as a pioneer in advanced, sustainable waste management. This is not an emergency; it is a choice, and the people of Trentino should have the power to choose a future that aligns with environmental responsibility and economic foresight, rather than clinging to the past.

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We are not facing an immediate emergency. Precisely for this reason, we can choose.