Today Regione
Toscana, Associazione Conciatori and Rea Impianti have signed the first pact on
the circular economy, which was born in Tuscany. It will strengthen the
industrial plants of the Santa Croce sull’Arno district that already operate
for a rational recovery and reuse of waste and by-products resulting from the
tanning process. The pact provides for investments whose main consequence is to
reduce, until they will be eliminated, the scraps of tanning, to obtain
high-quality organic fertilizer, bituminous concrete and cements according to a
process completely related to practices of circular economy.
"An
agreement that marks a revolution in waste disposal and a great step forward in
quality for the industrial sector-says the president of the Regione Toscana Enrico
Rossi - because it brings future labour developments, employment and
environmental protection. This pact also lays the foundations for attracting
new investments in Tuscany both in the tanning sector and in the fashion
industry».
"The
agreement today - adds the president of Associazione Conciatori, Alessandro
Francioni -is part of the investment that Associazione Conciatori is continuing
with the aim of promoting all those practices that are based on a circular
economy, which is already located in the tanning district of Santa Croce
Sull'arno, one of the most significant production realities. In this
perspective the collection of leather edge trims that tanners will do from
their customers (leather craftsman and footwear) offering in the most useful
way a rational and positive solution for the whole chain». The agreement aims
to promote the realisation of investments aimed at reducing the quantity of
waste produced during the production cycle. It also wants to exploit those
wastes through recycling, recovery and reuse. At the same time, it aims to
ensure the disposal of not recoverable waste produced by tanning companies at
the Scapigliato landfill by Rea Impianti for the duration of the transitional
phase (three years) until the entry into operation of the new plants of the circular
economy. The Regione Toscana for its part undertakes to ensure the conclusion
of the administrative procedures necessary for the enhancement of the circular
economy facilities at the service of tanning companies. The Tanners Association
will ensure the commitment of consortium companies in the implementation of
this process.