ANALYSING WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR RIOMAGGIORE, A MUNICIPALITY IN THE “CINQUE TERRE” AREA

The aim of this study is to analyse the relation between tourism activities in the “Cinque Terre” region, in particular in the municipality of Riomaggiore, and urban solid waste production and management. The choice of the topic is highly relevant as the region of “Cinque Terre”, located in the north-west part of Italian Mediterranean coastline, has been affected during the last decade by an unprecedented phenomenon of overtourism and hence an overwhelming tourism waste, which endangers the national park and UNESCO heritage sites of “Cinque Terre”. The research reviews the current situation in the region and the national and local legislative framework that conditions waste management. While this study is at an explorative stage of designing a strategy for a sustainable waste management, based on the analysis of both primary and secondary data focused on Riomaggiore, it still aims at a systematic understanding of the existing problematics that can be applied by the region stakeholders to improve the sustainability in concrete terms. Primary data come from interview with Head of the Technical Office of Riomaggiore. These data will be used to understand the actual management of waste and the real possibilities to reduce the environmental impact. Thanks to secondary data sourced from literature reviews, private and public reports, and legislative frameworks, the research provides an overview of the quantity of urban solid waste generated consistently by tourists and excursioniststhroughout the Cinque Terre from Easter holidays to late October area and its impact on the local population. As a support, the study utilizes data related to tourist movements (hotel and non-hotel arrivals and overnights) as well as a survey to be conducted at the end of summer 2024. As an output, the study aims at evaluating possible strategies for the improvement of the currently implemented systems of waste management, using optimization approaches among other methods.