From the Sicilian seafront to the snows of Madonna di Campiglio comes the plastic-eating fish

Thanks to the efforts of Sicily’s Rotary Clubs and the Rotary Club of Madonna di Campiglio, the “Flavofish” project has made its way to the feet of the Brenta Dolomites, all in the name of sustainability. The plastic-eating fish, a sculptural installation designed to encourage the separate collection of plastic waste and provoke reflection on the problem of pollution, was installed outside the Patascoss mountain lodge on Friday, as part of the Rotary social events taking part at present in Campiglio.

MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO - The “Flavofish” project, which takes its name from flavobacterium (the plastic-eating bacterium), is an initiative promoted and organised by the three Rotary Clubs of the Panormus Area of Rotary District 2110 (Palermo “Teatro del Sole” , Palermo Ovest and Palermo Mediterranea). Thanks to the links between these three and the Rotary Club of Madonna di Campiglio, it “landed” in Trentino on Friday evening, on the slopes of the Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta Ski Area.

“The three Rotary Clubs of the Panormus Area of District 2110”, explains Domenico Caminiti, president of the Palermo “Teatro del Sole” Rotary Club, “and the Madonna di Campiglio Rotary Club have long been committed to making a positive impact on the local and global level. Our project for the protection and preservation of the environment has already seen 30 plastic-eating fish installed on the beaches of Sicily, close to bathing areas and tourist attractions. Now there are two more: one installed on Friday evening at the Patascoss mountain lodge in Madonna di Campiglio, while the other is destined for the beach in Palermo next summer. Their aim is to reaffirm the involved clubs’ commitment to reaching the goal of 100% separated plastic and metal waste, in a sustainable and original way. By joining forces with the Club in Campiglio”, concludes Caminiti, “we are forging a bond between the Rotary Clubs of the sea and of the mountains for the protection of our rich biodiversity”.

The sculpture, which is shaped like a fish and acts as a bin for the separate collection of plastic, has a double significance: the first is the practical use it serves as an immense container for separated waste collection; the second, on the other hand, is about education and community. The striking image of the fish filled with plastic offers food for thought on the topic of the pollution caused by plastic materials and their subsequent entrance into the food chain.

“It’s an important project”, observes Roberto Papa, President of the Rotary Club of Madonna di Campiglio, “which combines its practical usefulness with an ability to catch the attention of guests and skiers thanks to its curious fish shape, encouraging them to reflect on the importance of choosing to do the right thing in everyday life”.

“The “Flavofish” project”, observes the President of the Tourist Board Tullio Serafini, who was present at Friday’s gathering, “is based on the same philosophy as our own “Let’s green”: a movement for social responsibility and concrete action that involves 10 lodges in the Alps and on the slopes, including the Patascoss lodge, which are freeing themselves from single-use plastic (2 of them have already achieved the goal of becoming 100% plastic-free). It’s important to be able to compare and contrast with similar projects carried out in other territories: we can share critiques and the best practices for success in order to tackle the problem of pollution caused by plastic, which we all have in common”.

The issue is a global one, and it’s only if everybody makes an effort that we will be able to mitigate the impact plastic has on the environment and the life of the planet. (AV)