Reuse Center Cremona
Contact: Cinzia Vuoto
E-mail: cinzia.vuoto@comune.cremona.it
web: https://www.comune.cremona.it/
Address: Piazza del Comune, 8 (entrance from SpazioComune, piazza Stradivari, 7), 26100 Cremona
Address of the Reuse Center: Via dell’Annona, 11, 26100 Cremona
E-mail: https://www.comune.cremona.it/eform/submit/scrivi-al-comune
WHEN: Ongoing since October 2016
WASTE MANAGEMENT HIERARCHY: Prevention: Replacement – Reduction, Recycling: Reuse – Reprocessing
TYPE OF INSTRUMENT: Education, information, awareness raising
WASTE STREAMS: Municipal waste, Plastics, Paper, Textiles, Bulky waste
About: RI-USO Center has been activated in collaboration with a social cooperative with the aim of promoting the direct reuse of goods that are thrown away and that can be directly reused and favoring initiatives to support the weaker sections of the population. The Association „Amici di Emmaus” manages since 1994, second-hand markets where people bring objects they do not use, like books, furniture, clothes, household items, sports equipment, various accessories, etc..
Human resources: The „Amici di Emmaus” staff, involved in the management of second-hand market, is present twice a week from 9 to 12 for the opening to the public.
Various initiatives to promote and disseminate the opportunities offered by the Center are prepared during the year thanks to the valuable contribution, in terms of skills and creativity of a group of volunteers in Civil Service and European Voluntary Service, who take care of the graphics and contents of the Facebook page and the Center’s promotional materials.
Many objects that we normally buy for our home, for our entertainment, are not used, often the purchase of the good does not correspond to a need, or is old, however it is no longer necessary, so we throw it. “Centro del Riuso” ” is an opportunity for the citizens of Cremona to reduce their waste, to donate a reusable good helping people in need and also to support the reception and solidarity activities of the „Amici di Emmaus” Association.
- Community Foundation of the Province of Cremona: co-financing partner for the Center’s internal equipment
- Lombardy Region: co-financing partner for the redevelopment of the former fruit and vegetable market
- Friends of Emmaus: voluntary association, partner of the Emmaus International Movement – host community – flea markets volunteers of: Civil Service and European Voluntary Service
The municipality of Cremona, starting door-to-door waste collection throughout the city, with the aim of preventing and reducing waste, and in the perspective of the circular economy with the support of the association “Amici di Emmaus” participated to the “Call for regional support for the awarding of contributions to public bodies for the creation of “Re-use Centers” the Lombardy Region.

“The Reuse center can be included in a major project of the Municipality for improving the citizens’ lifestyles towards more sustainable consumption patterns and to support a network of circular and solidarity activities. Together with other initiatives in schools and neighborhoods of the city, the Reuse center has an important role in making the citizens aware to act for waste reduction and increasing the reuse of still usable goods through their donation” (Cinzia Vuoto, Municipality of Cremona)
These spaces, also in synergy with environmental, social, voluntary associations, can become the center of the other economy, with a great social value and in the name of sustainability. Brownfield sites are reborn in the city and can become a real citadel of social and solidarity economy, headquarters of companies that produce work in the name of a new economy which focuses on sustainability and the community.
Management of the center made by an already experienced association of second-hand markets. The staff has to be able to receive only consumer goods that are still in good condition (even from a hygienic point of view) and that can be effectively re-used for their original uses, purposes and purposes.

- the reluctance of some citizens to reduce waste and re-use things
- the permanent supply of the Center
- expanding the Center to other locations
- attracting other institutions/organisations to support the project

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