In recognition of the Umbrian region and with a view to making known some of the innovative social projects of the province of Perugia, we meet dottoressa Carla Baldassarri, the person in charge of the Centro Riuso Brodolini at Ellera in Corciano. We meet her in the middle of the winter in her office near the ecological island located there where she immediately offers us something to drink, given the harsh weather. There is a fair amount of coming and going despite the early morning: obviously the ecological awareness that underpins the project arouses interest and movement. The large rooms are well organised and rather full between display stands and shelves: from armchairs to linen, carnival costumes to tablecloths and bedding, dishes, glasses, dinnerware, lamps, toys, books, every kind of object! In short, the more, the merrier! A real festival of colours! We ask her a few questions especially aimed at presenting the project to our associates, notably foreigners who have chosen to live in Umbria.
- How long has the Centro Riuso Brodolini existed?
In 2020, Federconsumatori Perugia (note: a prominent non-profit Italian social protection association) showed an interest in participating in the tender launched by the municipality of Corciano, the leader of the project that included all the municipalities of Trasimeno, for the management of the Centro Riuso. With the awarding of the management in May of 2021, our adventure began! We were in the midst of COVID and nothing was simple but we managed!
- What is the volume of re-usables that you manage to distribute in a year?
From the beginning until now, there has been a reduction of waste of about 10 000 kg which means that approximately 6 200 kg of CO2 has not been released into the atmosphere.
- How many volunteers take turns in the facility?
As far is staff is concerned, there are usually about six (6) Federconsumatori volunteers who alternate during opening hours.
- What is the human and social environment that revolves around your centre between those who donate used items and those who give them new life?
The goal of the centre is to sensitise citizens to recycling goods that are still usable, recyclable and recoverable; so those who come here donate various objects that are then made available to those who come looking for things to which they can give a second life.
The human and social environment includes a large variety of people apart from age, sex and social background. A large part of the material recovered is donated to social promotion associations and to private individuals. The proceeds from the donations are, in turn, donated to charity.
Thank you so much and all the best to all of you!