PressSplit
A holidaymaker reveals disturbing impressions of Sicily. The actual beauty of the island remains hidden. There are piles of rubbish piled up everywhere.
Palermo – Italy is a popular holiday destination for many people. But the Mediterranean island of Sicily has a special charm. Lively old towns, dreamy white beaches and bright turquoise water that is kissed by the sun 350 days a year. “The diversity of Sicily is overwhelming,” says a holidaymaker on Facebook, summing up his experiences on the Italian island. “From the warm hospitality that families especially love, to the culinary delights that make every meal unforgettable.”
However, that’s not the only thing he experiences. Sicily’s underside doesn’t go unnoticed either – and causes him to call out for help in shock.
“It breaks your heart”: Sicily is struggling with a garbage problem
“As beautiful as this island is, the problem that overshadows everything is just as painful: the omnipresent garbage. Plastic bags, old large electronic devices, furniture – it is shocking how carelessly some people treat this natural beauty. Sicily could be a true paradise if we only protected it better.” At the beginning of the video, piles of rubbish can be seen on the side of the road.
He adds: “Urgent action is needed to save the island: strict penalties, more awareness – among tourists and locals alike. Sicily is a treasure and it is heartbreaking to watch it slowly being lost.”
One scene illustrates how thoughtlessly people leave their trash behind. The video shows a view of the valley. Houses dot the hills and the road winds down – but a pan down reveals how littered the viewpoint is. Plastic bottles and packaging were apparently thrown from the street into the embankment. However, a number of drivers in Italy also behaved recklessly, at least in one small community.
Sicily is drowning in garbage: landfills on the Italian island are overflowing
The island has been drowning in its own waste for years. There is hardly a beach that is not polluted with empty cans, leftover food and plastic waste, reported the Deutschlandfunk. The entire waste system has collapsed. Landfills are overcrowded and there are no waste incineration plants. The result is more and more wild landfills. The problem, which has existed for years, lies primarily in the disorganization and the lack of punishment for environmental offenders.
The Facebook user hopes that the garbage situation in Sicily will soon improve because: “They say you cry twice: once with joy when you arrive and once with sadness when you say goodbye.” There also seems to be a garbage situation on the neighboring island of Sardinia. There is a problem if you can believe a camper.
