Do you know how much biodiversity in our parks affects the quality of life in our cities? Or how small green spaces can become true meeting points for the community?

To find out firsthand, the Institute for BioEconomy of the National Research Council (CNR-IBE) invites you to join two special events organized as part of the Radici di Comunità (Community Roots) project.

On September 16 and 23, put on comfortable shoes to explore the area of Sesto Fiorentino and Calenzano together with researchers, local associations, and experts. These will not be simple walks, but real opportunities for active citizenship, listening, and sharing ideas!

1️⃣ Wednesday, September 16 — Urban Trekking in Sesto Fiorentino

• Time: 5:15 PM (Meeting point at Parco dello Zambra)

• Route: About 4 km, very easy and flat.

A multi-stop route highlighting some of the city’s most significant green spaces: we will start at Parco dello Zambra, stop at the Casa della Natura with the Il Binario association, discover the essential role of pollinators at the Giardino delle Api with ARPAT, and conclude at Parco degli Etruschi bridging history and landscape. Along the way, there will also be space to gather your thoughts and ideas on the future of urban green spaces!

👉 Places are limited to 25 participants for safety reasons.

🔗 Click here to register for the Sesto Fiorentino event

2️⃣ Wednesday, September 23 — Participatory Walk in Travalle (Calenzano)

• Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Meeting point at Parco Agricolo di Travalle)

• Route: About 2 km, fully accessible to everyone (including wheelchair users).

An afternoon surrounded by nature in the Travalle Agricultural Park to observe biodiversity up close! We will hold a short BioBlitz across the meadows guided by nature experts, listen to the history of the park shared by the Park Protection Association (featuring a small tasting of local products!), and discuss how to restore the sensory path and plant new trees together.

🔗 Click here to register for the Travalle event

Why participate?

The Radici di Comunità project was born from the belief that caring for a territory starts with getting to know it and living it. At CNR-IBE, we are excited to bring our scientific expertise directly to citizens, building a bridge between research and the local community.

We look forward to walking and sharing ideas with you! 🌿

📩 For further information:

Francesca Ugolini (CNR-IBE): francesca.ugolini@cnr.it

Project Email: verdeurbanosostenibile@cnr.it

Every day, huge amounts of plastic packaging are used worldwide. Recycling them—especially multi-layer composite materials—remains a complex challenge, and unfortunately, only a tiny fraction is actually recovered.

To address this environmental emergency, researchers at CNR IBE (Institute for BioEconomy) have developed and patented a new eco-friendly material, with the potential to replace plastic packaging and composite materials, particularly those similar to paperboard.

How does the patented technology work?

The material is the result of an innovative circular economy approach. Its structure consists of:

• Ultra-thin wood layers: providing structural integrity and bio-based excellence.

• A biodegradable and compostable film: such as PLA or Mater-Bi, placed between the wood layers.

 

The strength of the project? Versatility. Simply by adjusting the number of layers, it is possible to calibrate the thickness and rigidity of the material, tailoring it to endless industrial and commercial applications.

From food trays to badges: potential applications

Thanks to its manufacturing flexibility, this new patent can replace plastic across widely diverse sectors:

• Food packaging: Trays, containers, and food packaging.

• Publishing and paper conversion: Covers, luxury packaging, or special inserts.

• Replacement for plastic cards: Corporate badges, hotel key cards, gym membership cards, or ATM cards.

An opportunity for businesses: the patent is available

The patent is now officially available to the industrial community. CNR IBE welcomes dialogue with forward-looking companies and partners interested in acquiring the technology to launch large-scale production, turning a brilliant scientific breakthrough into a sustainable commercial reality.

CNR IBE, together with other Research Institutes belonging to the Center for Innovation in Marine Technologies (CITEM), participated in the events of the Biennale del Mare 🌊 (https://www.biennalelivorno.it/) which was held in Livorno, from 14 to 17 May.
During the opening day of the laboratories, on 15 May, some researchers from the institute had the opportunity to interact with numerous students and citizens visiting the Scoglio della Regina, where the stations of all the Research Institutes belonging to CITEM were present www.biennalelivorno.it/eventi/ Participants were guided through a tour that presented the evolution of marine environment monitoring methods, covering various aspects of applied marine research. The CNR IBE kicked off the day with a brief presentation on the history of meteorology and the importance of the centuries-old historical data series on the Mediterranean from the “Pietro Monte” Meteorological Observatory, especially in the context of climate change studies. During this stage, participants also had the opportunity to observe the use of X-band radar and its applications in marine monitoring and the identification and tracking of drifting plastic debris. The CNR IBE was also present on May 16 at the Terrazza Mascagni for the “A Sea of Friends” event, where high school students participated in various practical activities. The simulation of transverse and longitudinal sea waves using toy springs was a particular highlight.”>Participants were guided through a tour that presented the evolution of marine environment monitoring methods, covering various aspects of applied marine research.
The CNR IBE kicked off the day with a brief presentation on the history of meteorology and the importance of the centuries-old historical data series on the Mediterranean from the “Pietro Monte” Meteorological Observatory, especially in the context of climate change studies.
During this stage, participants also had the opportunity to observe the use of X-band radar and its applications in marine monitoring and the identification and tracking of drifting plastic debris. The CNR IBE was also present on May 16 at the Terrazza Mascagni for the “A Sea of Friends” event, where high school students participated in various practical activities.
The simulation of transverse and longitudinal sea waves using toy springs was a particular highlight. The event was attended by colleagues Dr. Francesco Serafino, Gianmarco Lunghi, Graziella Rossini, Laura Pellegrino, David Pellegrini, Raffaella Manzo, Simone Putzolu, Alessandro Zaldei. Collaboration was provided by the Municipality of Livorno, CLAS Historical Archive of the Municipality of Livorno, ISIS “Niccolini-Palli”, Nautical Technical Institute “A. Cappellini”, Documentation Center “Villa Maria” of the Municipality of Livorno.”>The event was attended by colleagues Dr. Francesco Serafino, Gianmarco Lunghi, Graziella Rossini, Laura Pellegrino, David Pellegrini, Raffaella Manzo, Simone Putzolu, Alessandro Zaldei.
Collaboration was provided by the Municipality of Livorno, CLAS Historical Archive of the Municipality of Livorno, ISIS “Niccolini-Palli”, Nautical Technical Institute “A. Cappellini”, Documentation Center “Villa Maria” of the Municipality of Livorno.