BOLOGNA INSIDE Second Edition - IWF Bologna

40
GARBAGE AND RECYCLING
Hera services all of Bologna with garbage/recycling services and street cleaning. Put
regular household trash in the dumpsters located everywhere. Unlike in many other
countries, there is no limit on the amount of trash you produce nor is there required
sorting. Once you become a resident, go to the Ufficio Tassa Rifiuti Urbani (Urban Waste
Tax Office) to put yourself on the garbage tax list. Know the exact size of your apartment
in square meters as well as any other space such as garage or basement.
Ufficio Tassa Rifiuti Urbani
Via Capramozza, 15
Tel. 051.203429
In most neighborhoods you can find colorful recycling receptacles known as campane
(bells). There are also special smaller containers for used batteries. Used or expired
pharmaceutical items can be disposed of in collection boxes in the pharmacy. When you
need to dispose of furniture or other large items, call Hera and they will give you a
specific time and date to leave the items by the dumpster. Nearby the campane, you will
sometimes also find donation receptacles for used clothing.
BANKING
La banca (bank) is actually an Italian invention - the world’s first check was issued in
Tuscany where the Medici family was already running an international banking operation
in the 14 th century. Indeed, Italian banks have been charging customers for their services
ever since. Forget about beating the system, you pay the bank to keep your money,
sometimes more than they pay you in interest. There’s a charge for almost everything,
including the postage to send statements. Ask about the fees for online banking,
automatic bill pay, checks, credit and debit cards. If someone you know is a customer in
good standing at a particular bank (keep in mind it is the specific branch that counts),
you might consider using the personal connection as leverage for negotiating. To open a
bank account, you will first need a codice fiscale, see Chapter 1: Plugging In.
Banks are open Monday-Friday 8:20-13:20 and 14:35-16:05; closed weekends and
holidays.
There are also some branchless banks, such as Banca Mediolanum, which charge lower
fees by offering services via internet, telephone, teletex and personal consultants.
For more information see: www.bancamediolanum.it.
CHECKS AND WIRE TRANSFERS
If you are paid by assegno (check) and don’t have a bank account, cash it at the bank of
issue. Checks drawn on banks other than your own are called fuori piazza. Note that fuori
piazza checks may take up to 12 business days to clear. Use blue or black ink and write
non trasferibile (non-transferable) on the check.
While checks are mostly for consumer use, most other business is done using a bonifico
bancario (wire transfer). Employers prefer this payment method, so you will probably be