Italy: Naomi Slipka (Sustainability in Bologna)

Of the many amazing aspects of Italian culture I have been privileged enough to experience since being here, one element has stood out in particular. While the food, the social warmth, and pedestrian-friendly urban design make Bologna such a livable city, it is the city’s environmental consciousness that has impressed me the most.

One of the clearest examples of this is their practice of waste separation. There are at least five different bins in every household, each designated to a different dumpster. In my apartment, we have separate bins for plastica (plastic), carta (paper and cardboard), vetro (glass and cans), organico (food scraps and anything that can be composted), and indifferenziata (mixed). This sorting system has now become a part of my routine and is a practice that is second nature to those raised within this system.

In many parts of the United States, composting and waste separation is often viewed as niche or optional, whereas in Bologna, it is a shared societal value. In fact, the government enforces regular checks of dumpsters to make sure that people are properly separating their waste. If waste is found unseparated and can somehow be traced back to the person or the apartment, a substantial fine will be imposed. Living here has made me realize how easy it is to integrate sustainable lifestyle choices into everyday life. It’s simply a quietly and respectfully shared agreement among the Italian people that the planet should be taken care of, and it really makes a difference!

Naomi Slipka

Hometown: Shakopee, Minnesota

Major: Psychology

Program: Bologna Consortial Studies Program

I chose this program because I wanted to participate in an Italian-immersive program and I love the college-town feel of Bologna. I most look forward to learning about the history of the university and the famous cuisine that comes out of Bologna.