Reduce, Reuse, but mostly Recycle

I think we've all heard stories about someone being fined 100's of Euro for putting recyclables in their garbage. Or garbage men ripping open bags and leaving everything because things weren't disposed of properly.

I imagine a lot of those are "tall tales", but there are very strict guidelines regarding recycling and waste disposal in Italy. Each town has its own set of rules, but generally they are similar.

This link has a list of most towns that Americans live in and links to the local waste disposal rules. Some of these links are in English, some are not. So it may take a little digging to find out the specifics for your town. It's certainly worth your effort though. Fines can reach up to 600Euro and beyond. Roveredo's fines range from 25Euro to 620Euro. Yikes!

Do I know anyone who's ever been fined? No, I don't.

I am in Maniago, and they seem pretty lax here. If I've run out of yellow garbage sacks for our household garbage and set out white ones, they still take them. Though I try very hard to follow the rules, I know occasionally a yogurt cup or water bottle probably makes its way to the garbage instead of the recycling. And there may be things that I think I'm doing right, but I'm not.

Mostly, I try to get it right because we do live next to Italians and I don't want them to think that I am disrespectful of their laws or of them. I have seen Italians cleaning up after American garbage that was left incorrectly, and they did not look to happy about it. Can you blame them?

I've cleaned up garbage after other Americans because I didn't want them to think it was us. And you know we all get lumped together. I wasn't too happy about it either. Can you blame me?

So, at least try to get it right. Ask an Italian neighbor if you're not sure. I'm sure that they'd be willing to help.

Decoding Your Italian Home

"You turned the microwave on while the dryer was running?! What were you thinking?"

"Okay, let me think...I need to bake and do laundry. I'd better unplug the computer."

Don't be surprised if you hear yourself saying things like this when you're getting settled in your new home! You may be shocked to find out what items can and cannot be used at the same time in your house. And each house is different! I'd love to give you the "code". Nothing would make me happier than to make a list.

Dryer+TV+Computer=OK
Microwave+Oven+Vacuum=OK
Computer+Air Conditioner+Dryer=BAD!

But I can't! Our electricity goes out nearly every Monday afternoon because that is my big laundry and cleaning day. At some point during the day, I will try to microwave lunch while I'm both washing and drying laundry, or vacuum while the dishwasher is running. Then, I'm stomping outside in my slippers, grumbling while I flip the switch. Allora!

When you move into your rental, you have the option of paying a ridiculously high amount to increase the amount of electricity your home can consume. Not only do you pay to have the amount raised {an electrician has to physically come to your home and reset some things on your meter}, but you also have to pay a little more for the actual wattage that you use. Sooo...you pay for the convenience of not having to unplug your fridge anytime you want to run the dryer!

Here's the kicker...We did this! We paid more than I'd care to admit to have our limit raised and it still pops on a fairly regular basis. We are in a brand-new very energy efficient home....and it still pops. It can really get frustrating!

I cannot tell you whether or not it is worth your money to increase the amount of electricity that you will be able to use in your home. It will depend on your family size and lifestyle. Most of all though, I think it depends on the amount of disruption you are okay with in your daily lives.

So is it worth the extra expense? I'd have to say, for us, yes it has been worth every penny. I cannot imagine how difficult things would be if we hadn't!

Hang in There!

If you're coming from the U.S. and haven't left yet, rush out RIGHT NOW and stock up on as many of these as you can get your mitts on!

These will become your best friends when you start to decorate your Italian abode. Why? Because the walls are made from a cement-like material and, short of drilling, these are the easiest way to hang things.

Nails are absolutely a no-go! I bent several in the beginning. Worse than bending them though....they chip away at the wall material with each swing of the hammer and make some nasty looking holes. Holes that are quite likely to be expensive when we leave! {Oops!}

The velcro picture hangers from 3M have been a real life saver! They really can hold a lot of weight and have held up for a full year now.

The BX carries a limited variety of hooks, but I have not seen any of the velcro picture hanging strips there. I haven't seen either at local stores. So stock up before you come!



The 3M hooks even withstand the weather! This puppy has been on my exterior door for a full year now. 



I have had limited success with these. You wet the cloth portion at the top which has an adhesive and press it to the wall. After the adhesive has dried, hang your item. Simple enough. I have used these for a few small frames, but never anything that would cause devastation should it fall.

In my experience, these do tend to stick up higher than the pictures. They blend in with the the color of my walls, so for me it's not a problem. I'm sure you could paint them if that was an issue though.


I purchased these off base, I believe at a hardware store.

Adhesive picture hanger....in action! Can you even see it at the top? Blends in pretty well!



These are what you are advised to use on your walls when you get here. {Or at least we were}  Bad advice!

The idea is that you hammer those short metal pins into the wall and hang your item from the hook. The larger size ones have those metal bits and you use a small nail in the center as well.

"Ummm, didn't you just say nails are bad?" Why, yes! Yes I did!

These little buggers are a major pain in the tuchus. The troubles with these things are too numerous to list here. I have had things fall, pounded craters into my walls, and used way too much adult language trying to get these to work.

There are probably other ways to hang items on these walls, but I'll put my money on the 3M hooks every time though. So far they haven't let me down and I know that I can take them with me when I go.

In the event everything in my house should fall immediately upon posting this though, I will pop back in with a different review I'm sure!



{The good folks at 3M don't even know I exist. These are solely my opinions based on my experience with these products.}