The Romans are getting better at recycling their rubbish. Three years ago only 4.5 per cent of the rubbish collected had been divided into glass, plastic, metal and paper; this year the amount has risen to 18.5 per cent. The improvement could be attributed to a project that AMA, the city refuse-disposal agency, began in city schools seven years ago to increase awareness of the need to recycle rubbish and maintain a clean city.

The school project for 2004-2005 has just been announced, it will target school children of all ages in 800 city schools and will include, visits, meetings with AMA employees, and projects.