As part of an operation coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Carabinieri of the Environmental Protection and Energy Security Group of Naples, with the support of the Provincial Command, executed a preventive seizure order issued by the Judge for Preliminary Investigations at the Court of Naples North.
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The measure concerns a company in Caivano operating in the management of waste deriving from the separate collection of 75 municipalities in the provinces of Naples, Caserta and Salerno.
The investigation led to the complaint of the legal representative of the company for violations of articles 137 and 256 of Legislative Decree 152/2006, concerning respectively the illegal discharge of industrial wastewater and the illegal management of waste.
The company, which covers an area of approximately 40.000 square meters, specializes in the recovery of paper and cardboard transformed into Secondary Raw Material (MPS), known as “End of Waste”. However, investigations revealed that part of the waste treated, in particular plastic and non-recyclable materials, was managed in violation of authorizations, with serious environmental shortcomings.
Waste declared recovered without legal requirements
The investigations, conducted in collaboration with ARPAC, highlighted that the materials declared as “recovered” lacked the necessary product characteristics and were contaminated by impurities. Furthermore, the waste was stored outdoors without adequate coverings, exposing it to leaching phenomena with consequent dispersion of uncontrolled leachates into the public sewer system.
Illegal discharges of industrial wastewater
Serious irregularities were also found in the management of waste water. Through the use of colored tracers, the Carabinieri found that industrial waste water bypassed the chemical-physical-biological treatment plant, being discharged directly into the ASI area collector without the necessary purification process. This behavior, in violation of regional authorizations, allowed the company to save on management costs, but at the cost of potentially serious pollution of environmental matrices.
Intervention of the judiciary and appointment of a judicial administrator
The seizure was ordered to prevent further environmental damage and allow the restoration of activities in compliance with current legislation. The GIP appointed a judicial administrator with the task of ensuring the regular management of the plant according to the technical requirements.
Investigations on the Land of Fires
The operation is part of a wider investigation by the Public Prosecutor's Office into possible sources of pollution in the so-called "Land of fires”, an area already critical from an environmental point of view. Investigative activities continue to identify other companies responsible for similar violations and prevent further contamination episodes.
The collaboration between the Prosecutor's Office, the Carabinieri and ARPAC represents an important step in protecting the environment and in the fight against environmental crimes that threaten the territory and public health.
Article published on 12 December 2024 - 08:23
It is an article that makes you think about the serious environmental problems that are occurring. Waste management must be done appropriately and in compliance with the laws, otherwise there are devastating consequences for public health and the environment.
Yes, it is true that the situation is worrying, but I do not understand why some companies do not follow the rules. It is essential to protect our environment and act responsibly.
I agree that there are many irregularities in waste management, but I hope that these investigations will lead to concrete results to improve the environmental situation in our region.