Tuscany removes plastic from beaches and parks

FLORENCE, ITALY – Single-use plastic is prohibited from the beaches, parks and protected areas of Tuscany. But many still don’t know. This is why Tuscany Region run for cover with an awareness campaign that communicates good green practices, from recycling to good education to protect the environment and reduce the consumption of polluting materials.

MyTuscany is Plastic Free as part of the Toscana Plastic Free project uses informative photographic totems and a dedicated page on the visittuscany.com website edited by Fondazione Sistema Toscana. The photos of the campaign were taken by photographer Laura Lezza and the protagonists tell of a sustainable Tuscany where citizens and tourists are invited to do their part. The messages are: “Those who travel respect”; “In this photo there is everything except disposable plastic”; “Tuscany is a work of art of which we are all authors. Let’s not stain it “.

Starting from 5 July and until 30 September 2021, the photographic totems will be hosted in the headquarters of the Regional Council and will also be exhibited in the following territories thanks to the collaboration of the tourist areas and municipalities: in Versilia in Lido di Camaiore – Bussoladomani Park – from 5 July to July 20; Costa degli Etruschi in Marina di Cecina – viale Galliano – from 22 July to 13 August; in the Maremma Nord area in Follonica – Piazza Guerrazzi from 14 to 21 August, Scarlino – Garibaldi promenade – from 22 to 29 August, Castiglione della Pescaia – via Castiglionese – from 30 August to 5 September and finally at the Port of Livorno – Passenger Terminal- from 6 September to 30 September.

The use and administering of disposable plastic is prohibited

Disposable plastic is the major pollution factor on beaches and in the sea. Pursuant to Regional Law no. 37 of 28 June 2019, the following is prohibited in the seaside resorts and on the beaches of the Tuscany Region’s maritime domain:

• the use of disposable plastic products like tableware, containers, mixers for drinks, straws, cutlery, forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks and plates. Failure to comply with this ban shall be punished with an administrative fine determined by the Municipality.
• administering of foods and drinks using disposable plastic products. Failure to comply with the ban shall be punished with the administrative fine referred to in article 1164 of the Navigation Code, from 1,032 to 3,098 euro.

The use of these products is allowed, if disposable, exclusively if made of compostable material.

Leaving waste is prohibited

As well as being an uncivilised action that damages the environment and ourselves, the uncontrolled abandonment of waste as is a crime that – pursuant to Legislative Decree 152/2006 articles 192, 232 bis, 232 ter, 255 – envisages the following fines:

• administrative fine from 300 to 3,000 euro for any type of waste left on the ground or in the water 
• administrative fine from 30 to 150 euro for very small-sized waste (e.g. receipts, paper handkerchiefs and chewing gum) left on the ground, in the water, in drains and in sewers. The fine is increased up to double the amount in the case of smoking products stubs.