European Parliament 2014-2019 Committee on Petitions 31.10.2017 NOTICE TO MEMBERS Subject: Petition 0273/2010 by Mariagrazia Canuti (Italian), on the Malagrotta waste disposal site near Rome Petition 1173/2012 by Giorgio Libralato (Italian), on the discharge of solid urban waste in Borgo Montello (Latina-Lazio) Petition 1177/2012 by Alberto La Cognata, Rudolfo Warcok, Alesandro Pacili (Italian), on the Monti dell’Ortaccio waste disposal site (Rome) Petition 2160/2013 by Gaetano Savoca (Italian) concerning the Cupinoro landfill site in the province of Rome Petition 2167/2013 by Claudia Casetti (Italian) concerning the Cupinoro landfill site Petition 2222/2013 by Angelo Alfani (Italian) concerning the Cupinoro landfill site in the municipality of Bracciano (Lazio – Italy) Petition 2330/2013 2013 by Roberta Angelilli (Italian) and Alfredo Antoniozzi (Italian), on the situation concerning waste management in the Province of Rome and proposed use of the landfill site in Cupinoro Petition 2478/2013 by Marco Tellaroli (Italian), on the Cupinoro landfill site 1. Summary of petition 0273/2010 The petitioner expresses concern at the disposal of waste in the Malagrotta area, the infringement of environmental provisions in this respect, and the steady accumulation of mounds of waste at the roadside and the resulting danger of landslips (one having already occurred necessitating the diversion of traffic) as well as air pollution by particles and the pollution of drinking water as a result of waste water seepage. Sand is periodically scattered over accumulated waste water both inside and outside the disposal sites, causing further CM\1138404EN.docx PE452.727v10-00 EN United in diversityEN seepage, thereby endangering the entire ecosystem. Furthermore, according to the petitioner, the waste disposal site emits malodorous and toxic fumes when exposed to summer temperatures. Summary of petition 1173/2012 The petitioner expresses concern at the disposal of solid urban waste at Borgo Montello without suitable mechanical-biological treatment. He describes the Borgo Montello disposal site as an eco-Mafia hub following its infiltration by Camorra-run organised crime, indicating that that, since 1996, it has been used for the disposal of barrels containing toxic waste. Site improvement measures have been delayed for many years and even now little progress has been made. Summary of petition 1177/2012 The petitioners are opposed to the siting of a new waste disposal site at Monti dell’Ortaccio close to the Malagrotta waste disposal site, which is to be closed down. The Monte dell’Ortaccio waste disposal site will be situated in the ‘Valle Galeria’, a residential area already affected by high levels of pollution. The project has already prompted strong protests from local residents and their representatives, particular concern being expressed regarding groundwater contamination. Summary of petition 2160/2013 The petitioner expresses concern at waste management shortcomings in Lazio, particularly in the province of Rome. He also objects to the use by the Rome city authorities of a small landfill site in Cupinoro near the lake of Bracciano. Summary of petition 2167/2013 The petitioner expresses concern at waste management shortcomings in Lazio, particularly in the province of Rome. He also objects to the use by the Rome city authorities of a small landfill site in Cupinoro near the lake of Bracciano. Summary of petition 2222/2013 The petitioner expresses concern at the shortcomings of waste management in Lazio, particularly in the province of Rome, objecting to the use by the Rome city authorities of the small landfill site at Cupinoro situated near Lake Bracciano. Summary of petition 2330/2013 The petitioners draw attention to the inefficiency of waste management in Lazio, and particularly in the Province of Rome. They are especially protesting against use by the city of PE452.727v10-00 2/10 CM\1138404EN.docx EN Rome of the small landfill site in Cupinoro, which is close to Lake Bracciano. Summary of petition 2478/2013 The petitioner draws attention to the inefficient management of waste in the Lazio region, and in particular in the province of Rome. In this regard, he protests at the use by part of the City of Rome of the small landfill site in Cupinoro, near Lake Bracciano. 2. Admissibility Petition 0273/2010 declared admissible on 17 June 2010. Petition 1173/2012 declared admissible on 11 January 2013 Petition 1177/2012 declared admissible on 14 January 2013. Petition 2160/2013 declared admissible on 5 September 2014. Petition 2167/2013 declared admissible on 5 September 2014 Petition 2222/2013 declared admissible on 17 September 2014 Petition 2330/2013 declared admissible on 22 September 2014 Petition 2478/2013 declared admissible on 23 October 2014 Information requested from Commission under Rule 216(6). 3. Commission reply to petition 0273/2010, received on 10 November 2010. The petitioner's claims are related to the management of the Malagrotta site. It is relevant to point out that the Commission has already opened an investigation on the Malagrotta site. Further to a first exchange of information with the Italian authorities, an additional request for clarifications was issued in June 2010 and the reply by the Italian authorities is currently awaited. Once the reply is received, it will be assessed by the Commission in order to ascertain if there is a violation of EU legislation. At present, it is not possible to anticipate the outcome of the ongoing investigation. The Commission will report on the outcome of the investigation and possible actions in due course. 4. Commission reply (REV) to petition 0273/2010, received on 10 June 2011 . Following a meeting which took place in January 2011, the Italian Authorities sent the Commission a note providing further clarifications for the purposes of the investigation concerning the Malagrotta landfill on 3rd March 2011. On the basis of the assessment of this reply, the Commission will decide on the next steps that should be taken. 5. Commission reply (REV. II) to petition 0273/2010, received on 6 Septembre 2011 . The assessment of the note sent to the Commission by the Italian authorities on 3rd March 2011 indicated that in the Malagrotta landfill (Rome), and possibly in other landfills of Lazio, a certain amount of waste is landfilled without having been treated prior to landfilling. According to the Commission, this constitutes a breach of Article 6 (a) of Council Directive CM\1138404EN.docx 3/10 PE452.727v10-00 EN 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste1, which foresees that Member States shall take measures in order that only waste that has been subject to treatment is landfilled. Therefore, the Commission launched an infringement procedure and, on 16th June 2011, sent a letter of formal notice to the Italian Republic. 6. Commission reply, received on 27 March 2013 Petition 1173/2012 The Commission is closely monitoring the waste situation in Lazio in the framework of three files: infringement procedure 2011/4021, concerning the treatment of the waste disposed of in the Malagrotta landfill and other Lazio landfills; investigation 3075/12/ENVI, concerning the measures planned in Lazio to ensure a proper management of waste once the Malagrotta landfill is closed; investigation 3585/12/ENVI, aimed at ensuring that any new landfill in Lazio complies with the relevant EU legislation, and in particular with Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (SEA Directive)2 and with Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (EIA Directive)3. As concerns the disposal of municipal waste at the Borgo Montello landfill without suitable mechanical-biological treatment, this issue is covered by the abovementioned infringement procedure 2011/4021. As regards the illegal disposal of hazardous waste mixed with municipal waste in Italy, the Commission has received several allegations on this issue and is addressing it. This issue was one of the topics discussed at a recent seminar on management of municipal waste in Central and Southern Italy. Should the Commission receive evidence of breaches of EU law, appropriate action will be taken. As regards in particular the alleged illegal disposal of toxic waste in Borgo Montello, the Commission further observes that according to the petitioners this issue is the object of ongoing investigations launched by the Italian judicial authorities. Conclusion The Commission will continue to monitor closely the situation relating to the management of waste in Lazio in the framework of the abovementioned ongoing activities. Petition 1177/2012 The Commission is closely monitoring the waste situation in Lazio in the framework of three files: infringement procedure 2011/4021, concerning the treatment of the waste disposed of in the Malagrotta landfill and other Lazio landfills; investigation 3075/12/ENVI, concerning the measures planned in Lazio to ensure a proper management of waste once the Malagrotta landfill is closed; investigation 3585/12/ENVI, aimed at ensuring that any new landfill in Lazio complies with the relevant EU legislation, and in particular with Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment 1 OJ L 182, 16.7.1999, p. 1-19. 2 Official Journal L 197 of 21/07/2001, pages 30-37. 3 Official Journal L 026 of 28/01/2012, pages 1-21. PE452.727v10-00 4/10 CM\1138404EN.docx EN of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (SEA Directive)1 and with Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (EIA Directive)2. Decisions about the location and construction of waste management installations – such as the proposed landfill at Monti dell'Ortaccio – are to be taken by the competent national authorities. The Commission cannot interfere with such decisions, provided that they are taken in compliance with the relevant EU law, particularly the SEA and EIA Directives as well as Directive 2008/98/EC on waste (Waste Framework Directive)3.