Young people and local organisations in Casapesenna and across the wider Agro Aversano area are working to monitor the situation, raise public awareness, and protect their territory from waste dumping that threatens soils, water, and agriculture.
This article is part of a series of stories that explore environmental challenges and youth initiatives in each country and region participating in YouthCARE4planet project in the Mediterranean.
In Campania, in southern Italy, within the province of Caserta and the Agro Aversano territory — a large agricultural area between Naples and Caserta known for its fertile soils but affected for decades by strong environmental pressures — illegal dumping along dirt roads and in open fields has become increasingly common. Old furniture, plastic bags, and construction materials are frequently abandoned near farms and irrigation channels.
In October 2025, local authorities discovered and seized a large illegal dump in an abandoned agricultural field, containing household waste and construction debris.
These waste deposits contribute to soil pollution and directly affect the daily lives of residents and farmers. Although Agro Aversano has historically been known for the quality of its land and its agricultural potential, the growing number of illegal dumps is gradually undermining this heritage and raising serious concerns about the region’s future.
When waste is left exposed, harmful chemical substances can seep into the soil. During rainfall, these pollutants can reach irrigation channels and groundwater. In a region like Agro Aversano, historically affected by illegal waste issues linked to organised crime and poor waste management, soil contamination represents a real threat.
Scientific studies conducted by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISPRA, and several Italian universities, in collaboration with ARPA Campania, have analysed soils and water in Agro Aversano.
These studies have identified elevated concentrations of heavy metals and other potentially harmful substances in certain sites, confirming the impact of human activity and past waste mismanagement on soil and groundwater quality, with implications for agriculture and public health.
Climate change is leading to more intense rainfall events and longer drought periods. During heavy rains, waste is washed into fields and water systems, spreading pollution. During droughts, dry soils filter pollutants less effectively, worsening contamination when rain returns.
Thus, illegal dumping and climate change combine to create even greater challenges for land and local farmers.
For residents of Casapesenna and nearby towns, illegal dumping has a direct impact on daily life. Children pass through polluted fields on their way to school, farmers worry about water and crop quality, and families are concerned about waste along rural roads and in natural areas.
This situation makes everyday life more difficult and raises questions of collective responsibility and territorial management. Local authorities have attempted to respond: in 2021, mayors in Agro Aversano reported installing cameras to monitor illegal dumping, but human resources remain insufficient for full control.
Young people play an important role. Some work with local associations to monitor, report, and clean polluted areas.
For example, GIOSEF Italy implements projects in Casapesenna that include environmental protection and the revitalisation of public spaces. The organisation involves young volunteers in communication activities, community events, and environmental awareness and urban regeneration campaigns.
In particular, the YOUthCARE4planet project brings together local young people to monitor the territory, collect data on illegal dumping, and raise awareness about soil and water protection. Participants map affected areas, share reports with authorities, and help farmers interpret environmental data.
Local structures such as Consorzio Agrorinasce also work to protect the territory. Agrorinasce promotes sustainable agriculture and environmental protection as part of its mission to support local development and legality.
Across the wider region, environmental organisations such as volunteers from WWF monitor illegal dumping sites and call for stronger controls and cleanup actions. These volunteers help report issues and raise awareness of their importance.
Young people also organise clean-up days and share information online to raise public awareness. They engage with schools, parents, and residents on the importance of protecting soil and water. These campaigns help more people understand the impact of waste on health and the environment.
Young volunteers and local organisations, working together, strengthen a sense of collective responsibility and community engagement.
Although illegal dumping and climate change remain major challenges in Casapesenna and Agro Aversano, young people and local actors are showing that change is possible. By monitoring the territory, sharing information, and taking action on the ground, they demonstrate that local engagement and awareness can make a real difference.
Last Update
26/05/2026
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