Italy in London: Getting Closer to the ‘Zero-Waste Embassy’ Target

LONDON, JUNE 18 – The Italian Embassy in London made another step towards “Zero Waste”. Thanks to an agreement with Novamont and Green Network, two leading Italian companies in the field of sustainable economy, the amount of non-recyclable waste has been reduced by 20% in two months, while 100% of consumed energy now comes from renewable sources.

In presenting this initiative, which is part of the Farnesina Verde action plan, Ambassador Raffaele Trombetta provided the figures related to this effort: “Our diplomatic representation has been involved for several months in the development of the “Zero-Waste Embassy” project, for a more rational management of waste and energy supply. The results are already visible: since April, when this initiative was launched, our periodic measurements have shown a reduction of about 20% in non-recyclable waste. Undifferentiated waste now only accounts for about 20% of the total, compared to about 50% recyclable and about 30% organic waste”.

This virtuous choice, whereby the Italian Embassy is the first in the UK to set such a broad environmentally sustainable target, “has led us to minimize the use of disposable products, introduce compostable products when necessary and ensure that organic waste is collected and processed into quality humus,” Novamont CEO Catia Bastioli added.

On the energy front, the Embassy has signed an agreement with Green Network for the supply of electricity and gas that comes from 100% renewable sources. This supplements the energy that is already being generated by the photovoltaic panels installed in 2015 on the roof of Grosvenor Square.

“Green Network Energy is the first independent Italian supplier in the UK,” said Sabrina Corbo, co-founder and executive vice president of Green Network, adding that “the market trends of our customers, both in Italy and the UK, point to a strong growth in the demand for 100% green energy, which shows how motivated we all are to play a more active and proactive role to protect and respect the environment.​ (@OnuItalia)