Machines to Reduce Plastic Wastes in Moscow's Metro Station

 People put plastic bottles into a recycling machine in San
Giovanni metro station in Rome, Italy, on September 27, 2019.
(REUTERS/Remo Casilli)
People put plastic bottles into a recycling machine in San Giovanni metro station in Rome, Italy, on September 27, 2019. (REUTERS/Remo Casilli)
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Machines to Reduce Plastic Wastes in Moscow's Metro Station

 People put plastic bottles into a recycling machine in San
Giovanni metro station in Rome, Italy, on September 27, 2019.
(REUTERS/Remo Casilli)
People put plastic bottles into a recycling machine in San Giovanni metro station in Rome, Italy, on September 27, 2019. (REUTERS/Remo Casilli)

The plastic, metal, and glass bottles used in the soft and mineral drinks industry have become an annoying problem for citizens and authorities in most countries.

The excessive use of these bottles has aggravated the waste crisis, and the scattered garbage in certain spots in metro stations and subways has distorted the clean image of these places. In order to encounter the environmental harms, and maintain hygiene in transportation facilities, the Russian capital plans to deploy special machines, similar to those selling soft drinks and snacks, but with a reverse role: buying plastic and metal bottles from citizens.

According to the proposal, which is being considered by the Russian authorities in cooperation with the environment and transport ministries, the new machines will be deployed in metro stations and subways, so commuters can use them to dispose empty bottles.

Based on a given mechanism, the machines would transfer a credit into transit passes to offer passengers one or more free trips.

Experts are currently studying the implementation of the proposed project backed by the concerned official institutions, and mainly the environment ministry, which sees it as an opportunity to encounter the unwanted waste phenomenon, and a step towards endorsing a bill that ban the use of such types of containers.

The project supporters agree that the idea could address the waste problem, because citizens would prefer to "throw wastes" in a machine that gives them some money in return, rather than throwing it anywhere else, without benefits. Therefore, they advise everyone "If you are a subway passenger, keep the bottles, and you will get a free trip."



Milan’s Historic La Scala Cracks Down on Tourist Dress Code

Milan’s La Scala opera house is an important Italian music institution dating back to the 16th century (Getty Images)
Milan’s La Scala opera house is an important Italian music institution dating back to the 16th century (Getty Images)
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Milan’s Historic La Scala Cracks Down on Tourist Dress Code

Milan’s La Scala opera house is an important Italian music institution dating back to the 16th century (Getty Images)
Milan’s La Scala opera house is an important Italian music institution dating back to the 16th century (Getty Images)

A historic opera house in Milan has cracked down on patrons and tourists entering the prestigious venue wearing summer attire such as shorts, tank tops and flip flops, warning they will be turned away if not dressed appropriately.

The opera was seen as a symbol of wealth and exclusivity in 19th-century high society, and the bourgeois elite of this time period would have been expected to turn up in tailcoats, cravats and long evening dresses, The Independent newspaper wrote on Monday.

While this opulent attire is not expected of patrons nowadays, it said Milan’s Teatro alla Scala opera house, commonly known as La Scala, has recently reinforced its smart dress code in the wake of opera-goers turning up in casual summer fashion.

“The public is kindly requested to dress in keeping with the decorum of the theater, out of respect for the theater and for other viewers,” La Scala’s policy said.

“People wearing shorts or sleeveless T-shirts will not be allowed inside the auditorium; in this case, tickets will not be reimbursed.”

The venue also has signs around the foyer and on tickets stating the same message, warning patrons that they will not get a refund if they turn up wearing clothes not in keeping with the “decorum.”

The rules over informal clothing were first introduced in 2015 when the summer season coincided with the World Expo in Milan, as a way to deter the influx of tourists turning up in summer wear.

“There are no special dress code requirements at La Scala,” a spokesperson at the theater told The Independent. “We are delighted that some of our audience members consider an evening at La Scala to be a special occasion and dress accordingly, but our priority is to welcome everyone and make sure they feel comfortable.

“This is precisely why, in 2015, we introduced restrictions on clothing that could cause discomfort to other audience members who have to share the often limited space of an 18th-century theater.

“With the return of summer (an especially hot one), we reminded the audience of these rules, which have remained unchanged for ten years.

“It would not be right to tell spectators how to dress, but it is necessary that they do dress, as not to cause discomfort to other people,” the spokesperson added.

La Scala’s spokesman added that there had been a “change in behavior led by visitors who do not follow opera but see La Scala as a landmark.”