The Stinky Naples Garbage Strike

By Orato Editor Heather Wallace
Date Posted: 05/29/08 Reader Rating:

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but it can't quite describe the smell that must be emanating from Naples, Italy and the surrounding area during this epic garbage strike. Apparently the garbage is piled up to the second storey of buildings and "comes alive" at night when the dogs, cats and rats go to town. The garbage hasn't been picked up since December, and the situation hasn't been this bleak since the 1973 cholera outbreak.

It's not just Naples' folk that need be concerned; The former national police chief Gianni De Gennaro began sending rubbish to other parts of Italy and Europe as a temporary measure before new landfills or incinerators are ready. Critics say the clean up is cosmetic at best, with only touristy areas receiving attention, while the outskirts, countryside and poor areas are completely ignored.

Neighboring districts recently staged protests when they learned their backyards were about to be used as the next heap. They aren't the only ones taking action. Earlier this month the European Union announced it was suing Italy for the lengthy mess.

How can Italy let this happen? Of course it has a little something to do with the fact that waste management is a mafia-controlled operation and the government and police are not making nice.