Why does a country with trash in the streets and mafia scandals in the headlines also rank among the best in Europe for recycling? Welcome to Italy’s green contradiction — where civic pride and public cynicism coexist, and where citizens sort their waste religiously while organized crime controls the landfills.

In this episode of Voices of Italy, we dig beneath the surface of Italy’s environmental reputation. From the infamous Terra dei Fuochi in Campania to the dark history of radioactive waste off the coast of Calabria and the mafia’s grip on the waste industry in Sicily, we uncover the paradoxes that define Italy’s relationship with sustainability and corruption.

You’ll hear about:

• Why Italy scores surprisingly high on EU recycling charts

• The rise of Ecomafia and how criminal organizations profit from environmental destruction

• How self-perception, stereotypes, and European comparisons shape the Italian civic identity

• Real cases from Sicily and Calabria that reveal the scale of environmental crime

• Local initiatives fighting back with organic farming, reclaimed land, and civic courage

🔍 Whether you’re Italian, part of the diaspora, an expat or simply passionate about Italy, this episode invites you to see beyond the stereotypes — and into the complex, messy beauty of a country trying to reconcile its best and worst instincts.

🛒 Want to support the fight for environmental justice in Italy? Explore liberaterra.it and discover products made on lands freed from the mafia, including organic wine, pasta, and preserves.
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