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PhrasesAt the Hardware StoreHo bisogno di sacchi resistenti per le macerie.
B1

Ho bisogno di sacchi resistenti per le macerie.

I need heavy-duty sacks for rubble.

Pronunciation

ma-CHE-rye — three syllables; stress the second; 'c' before 'e' is soft ('ch').

When to use it

Use this when doing demolition or renovation work that produces rubble, broken tiles, or heavy debris. Standard bin bags are not suitable — you need purpose-made construction waste sacks.

What it means

Macerie (rubble, debris) requires specialised heavy-duty sacks. The Italian construction industry uses sacchi polipropilene (polypropylene woven sacks) in sizes of 50-100 litres, rated for weights of 20-50 kg. They are sold individually or in packs. For larger volumes, a container (cassone) is rented from a waste company.

Variations

Sacchi da 50 litri per macerie e calcinacci.

50-litre sacks for rubble and plaster debris.

Calcinacci is the specific term for chunks of old plaster or mortar that fall during demolition.

Dove butto le macerie dell'appartamento?

Where do I dispose of apartment rubble?

Construction debris (rifiuti edili) is regulated; it must go to an isola ecologica or via a licensed carrier.

Servo un cassone per i rifiuti da demolizione.

I need a skip for demolition waste.

A cassone (skip) is hired from waste management companies; permits are required for street placement.

Mini Dialogue

— Sto togliendo le vecchie piastrelle del bagno. Ho bisogno di sacchi? — Sì, sacchi polipropilene da 50 litri. Non usare i normali sacchi della spazzatura: si rompono. — Dove poi butto le macerie? — All'isola ecologica. Oppure chiamo un'azienda che porta il cassone.

— I'm removing old bathroom tiles. Do I need sacks? — Yes, 50-litre polypropylene sacks. Don't use normal bin bags: they tear. — Where do I then dispose of the rubble? — At the recycling centre. Or call a company that brings a skip.

Cultural Note

Italian DIY renovation (fai da te) is widespread — millions of Italians renovate their homes themselves, particularly kitchens and bathrooms. This has driven a market for self-service renovation products in ferramenta. Italian apartments produce significant renovation waste as they cycle through renovation waves — the post-war boom housing stock built in the 1950s-70s is currently undergoing its second major renovation cycle.