The new ‘Betty’s Garden’ will be created in the Piero De Luca garden in Genoa’s Molo district, the eleventh in the city built as part of the playground redevelopment project with shock-absorbent flooring made from recycled sports shoes, tennis balls, bicycle tires, and inner tubes. The initiative, in collaboration with Esosport, is part of the urban regeneration interventions of the Caruggi Integrated Plan. At the Molo playground, the shock-absorbent flooring will be created from the collection of 3,000 pairs of used sneakers and athletic shoes, transforming a 55-square-meter children’s area with the installation of recycled plastic play equipment. Two collection points have been set up in the district where used shoes can be dropped off: at via Mura del Molo 4r (Zena service) and via del Molo 59r (Arte Insegne).
“Giving new life to objects is a very positive message, especially for the younger generation, not only from an environmental perspective but also a civic one – said Councilor for the Historic Center Paola Bordilli, according to a statement – as part of the Caruggi Plan we have launched actions aimed at promoting recycling both at the reuse center in vico Angeli and on an informational level with dedicated points for proper waste disposal at eco-points.” “This new initiative for collecting used sneakers, as part of the ‘Betty’s Garden’ project, which has already done so much for our historic center – said Environment Councilor Matteo Campora -, will redevelop another corner of Genoa’s alleyways, allowing children in the Molo neighborhood to play safely in an eco-sustainable and eco-friendly space.” The ‘Betty’s Gardens’ are named after Elisabetta Salvioni Meletiou, wife of Nicolas Meletiou, who supported her husband in creating and running the Esosport project until July 2, 2011, the day of her untimely passing.
Source: larepublicagenova.it – 10-23-2021