The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources revealed that by December last year, the island of Graciosa led the regional ranking of “Sociedade Ponto Verde” on packaging waste take-back, with an average of 94.2 kg per inhabitant.
 
Luís Neto Viveiros spoke on the sidelines of a visit to one of the two existing landfills on Graciosa that will be sealed by the Government. The tender procedures for the awarding of contract work are currently taking place; the base value is set at 800 thousand Euros.

"Planned under the Regional Public Works Charter, this intervention has a completion period of 120 days and is required following the entry into operation of the Centre for Waste Processing and Organic Waste Recovery by Composting on the island of Graciosa," stressed the government official during his visit to the landfill located in Santa Cruz.

Luís Neto Viveiros also recalled that the Government also launched a public tender for the sealing of existing landfills on the island of Flores. This intervention has a base value of 1.1 million Euros and a completion period of 120 days from the date of the awarding of the contract work.

Currently, there are 10 landfills/disposal sites for solid waste (MSW), six of which will be sealed and recovered by the end of 2015.

According to the Strategic Plan for Waste Management Plan of the Azores (PEDGRA), waste management is one of the cornerstones of a strategy for the sustainable development of the Region. It contributes to the revitalisation of natural resources, the protection of ecosystems and the safeguarding of public health.