Cariati, Italy – Local administrators and tourism operators met recently to address waste management challenges ahead of the upcoming summer season, according to a statement released by the municipality. The meeting, held February 21, 2026, included representatives from local beach establishments and commercial businesses, as well as officials from the Comune di Cariati and Mia srl, the company responsible for the area’s hygiene and environmental services.
Delegato al Turismo Antonio Scarnato and Assessore all’Urbanistica Tommaso Critelli participated in the discussions, which focused on improving recycling rates and reducing the volume of undifferentiated waste. The Comune aims to achieve cost savings and broader community benefits through enhanced waste management practices, particularly given the anticipated influx of tourists during the summer months.
Participants analyzed existing issues in waste collection and disposal, paying specific attention to the needs of businesses that experience increased activity during peak tourist season. A key objective is to optimize waste disposal methods, reinforce existing best practices, and create a more effective system that balances environmental protection, service quality, and economic sustainability.
“The dialogue with operators is fundamental to building a more sustainable waste management model, especially in a tourist-oriented territory like ours,” representatives from the administration stated. “Only through collaboration and shared goals can we improve results and contain costs.”
The meeting is part of a larger strategy to raise awareness and promote collective responsibility regarding waste management. Mia srl was awarded the municipal waste management contract in July 2023, securing a 2.999% discount on the initial bid of €4,081,112.00, bringing the total contract value to €3,958,719.45 for a five-year term. At that time, the administration also announced an immediate effort to restore hygiene and decorum throughout the municipality.
The Comune and Mia srl have agreed to deploy additional resources – including vehicles and personnel – to accommodate both the geographical extent of Cariati and the increased population during the summer. Mia srl has also formalized an agreement to send waste to the Calabria Maceri facility in Rende, rather than the Contrada Bucita facility in Corigliano-Rossano, to avoid potential delays and disruptions to service.
