Green public procurements, sustainable tourism, circular economy: these were some of the key themes of Upcycling Land FVG, originating from a reflection on the future of post-consumer plastic and designed to encourage good virtuous practices in very different sectors, from production to services to art. The event, promoted by the company Preco System, based in Gemona del Friuli (Udine), was held at Villa Gallici Deciani in Montegnacco di Cassacco, for three days the setting of talks and guided tours open to the public dedicated to the theme of sustainability and presenting the experiences and models of companies, universities, operators and professionals. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with Animaimpresa and actors from the region’s system, was an opportunity to explore and touch upon the many opportunities for reuse and new life for post-consumer plastic. Numerous organisations and expert speakers took part in the three-day event: Raul Venier, founder and AD of Preco System, part of the HAHN Kunststoffe Group; Roberto Conte, AD of I. Blu, part of the IREN Group; Paolo Fantoni, president of Fantoni SpA; Adriano Luci, president of the Luci Group; Luca Ceccarelli, president of the Ceccarelli Group; Paolo Fabbri, president and founding partner of Punto 3; Walter Bertozzi, senior sustainability partner BERST; Lucia Cristina Piu, director of Confapi FVG; Franco Bulian, director of Catas SPA; Paola Schneider, president of Federalberghi FVG; Raffaele Perrotta, president of the Friuli Venezia Giulia section of ADSI – Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane (the association of Italian historic houses); LegalNext Avvocati and Ekita.

For the entire duration of the event, the villa hosted an exhibition of Preco System products, allowing visitors to experience first-hand what can be made from plastic waste and to discover the wonders of the historic Friulian residence, which for the occasion included a new installation of Michelangelo Pistoletto‘s Third Paradise, created by Laura Ellero. In fact, the work representing the Biellese artist’s trinamic symbol perfectly (and artistically) conveyed the themes that Upcycling Land FVG aimed to highlight. “The location and the set up,” explained Raul Venier, “have a strong symbolic value. They represent a bridge between past, present and future, and the opportunity for coexistence between old and new, often facilitated by art and culture”.

Here is a summary of the contents of the three-day event. The first talk, entitled Green Economy, Resource Management and Sustainable Development – Companies with an integrated approach, gave the public the opportunity to listen to the voices of local businesses that on a daily basis work concretely for an economy that respects the environment and mankind. Organised under the patronage of the University of Udine, Upcycling Land FVG also addressed surveyors and architects thanks to the educational seminar Green Public Procurement – Repurposing of post-consumer plastic and best practices in favour of sustainability, accredited by the College of Surveyors and Graduate Surveyors of the Province of Udine and by the Order of Architects, Planners, Landscapers and Conservators of the Province of Udine. Sustainable Tourism in the Region – Services offered and challenges followed, an opportunity for professionals and non-professionals to look at the territory’s landscape and cultural heritage from a green point of view, intended as a factor for growth and development. The rich programme of Upcycling land FVG came to a close on Saturday 21 May, with the staging of an open day dedicated to exhibiting Preco System products, made entirely of 100% recycled plastic. “We didn’t just want to display what we make,” concluded Raul Venier, “but to share ideas and projects. We are convinced that sustainability is a path we have to walk together”.