Yesterday (30 March 2026), at the Regional headquarters and in the presence of the Regional Councillor for Finance, Barbara Zilli, the pilot project promoted by the Municipality of Pradamano was officially presented, with the Municipalities of Pavia di Udine, Premariacco and Cividale also joining the initiative.

The project aims to create a database with the objective of reducing the release of microplastics generated by household laundry. The initiative will involve a population of around 10,000 citizens and represents a concrete first step toward understanding and mitigating an environmental phenomenon that is widespread yet invisible and largely unknown.

The idea, sparked by the interest of the Deputy Mayor of Pradamano, Daiana Miani, originates from alarming international data: it is estimated that each family releases into wastewater treatment plants, through washing machine cycles, the equivalent of about two plastic bags per year in the form of microfibres. These particles, which are extremely difficult to intercept, reach treatment plants; some escape and end up in wastewater flowing into rivers and seas, while the rest accumulates in sewage sludge, which is often reused in agriculture as soil improvers.

The issue is far from marginal: microfibres, even just a few microns in size, once dispersed in the environment, can reenter our homes through the food chain and, consequently, reach our tables, with potential impacts on human health that still require extensive investigation.

The pilot project was launched precisely to address a knowledge gap in the data needed for informed decision-making. Through monitoring and analysis activities, it seeks to collect useful data to understand how to reduce the release of these pollutants into the biosphere and to develop more effective and targeted public policies for the environment and public health.

The need to act is also strategic: anticipating potential future European regulations would allow the territory to be prepared, with benefits not only environmental but also economic. In particular, improved quality of sewage sludge could positively influence disposal tariffs, enabling safe and sustainable reuse.

“Overcoming data uncertainty is essential for improving the quality of regional public policies and protecting citizens’ health,” was emphasized during the press conference.

The meeting was attended by Regional Councillors Elia Miani and Mauro Di Bert, as well as Informest Director Graziano Lorenzon, who illustrated the technical aspects of the project, and the Deputy Mayor of Pradamano, Daiana Miani, leader of the initiative.

Also participating were the Deputy Mayor of Premariacco, Monika Drescig, and councillors Luigi Palandrani (Municipality of Pavia di Udine) and Rita Cozzi (Municipality of Cividale), demonstrating strong institutional and territorial involvement.

Closing the conference, delivering the greetings of the Region, was the Regional Councillor for Finance, Barbara Zilli, who reiterated “the fundamental role of INFORMEST, capable of connecting municipal initiatives with modern challenges. The project also represents a concrete example of collaboration between local authorities and regional institutions, aimed at building knowledge and solutions to tackle one of the emerging challenges of ecological transition.”

The project also stands as a concrete example of subsidiarity and collaboration between local authorities and regional institutions, oriented toward building knowledge and solutions to address one of the emerging challenges of ecological transition.

Read the in-depth document (in Italian).