We have a couple of paper factories at Ponte a Serraglio. For the most part they go reasonably quietly about their business. I think there may be an occasional dump of waste into the river when nobody is watching, but the water seems clean.
What bothers me about one of them are the piles of recycled materials stacked up beside the river. They are plainly visible from the other side, and have been so in the 10 years I have been coming to Bagni di Lucca.
A few years ago a shed was built and I thought the piles were going to disappear in there…but no.
A hedge has been grown between the road and the storage area and the owner has a nice hedge in front of his house so that he doesn’t have to look at it.
He is clearly doing well as he is building an enormous extension to his house.
Perhaps he could spend a little on fixing the eyesore in his factory grounds.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 
Wish he could read this, or someone would show him this!
Maybe he will.
I totally agree with you, Debra. On my second visit to Bagni di Lucca, I couldn’t believe and am alarmed how much this eyesore had expanded. You have every right to rant as this is such an idyllic part of Italy which ought to remain so. The owner should be extending his shed not the house. I wonder if the locals feel just as cross as you are?
I think a few others are a bit annoyed by this.
Totally agree Deb – it’s a hideous eyesore crumbling away
They must be able to do something to improve the view.
Quite agree with this – eyesores can often easily be turned into eyedelights with a little imagination.
It just needs an attractive hedge growing in front of it.
That is what we thought as well. But how to convince the commune to push this guy to plant it??
I don’t think there is much chance of getting anything done. You need a permit to change your shutters, but this is allowed.
I’m just blown away at the thought of a private paper mill 😉
There are several in the area.
I saw this just this morning and was wondering what exactly it is.
It actually looks a bit better now than it did years ago. At least the piles are neat, but it has a way to go.
I have noticed this one the last couple of trips to the area. The first time I spotted the pile of waste was from the train on the way to Barga but have since seen it from the other side of the river!
The one you see on the train to Barga is a different factory. They should all be made to make their piles look a bit better.