The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment stressed today the reformist nature of the policy that has been implemented by the Regional Government, now enhanced in its preventive component.

"Speaking of waste management in the Region is to speak of a silent revolution that led to one of the most important structural reforms ever operated in the Azores," said Luís Neto Viveiros. The government official spoke at the Legislative Assembly in Horta during the presentation of the Waste Management Strategic Plan of the Azores (PEPGRA).

For the government official, "the waste management policy is taken by this Government as an added value to the quality of life of citizens and the competitiveness of economic activities."

In this sense, the Regional Secretary stressed that "when fully operational, the network of Waste Processing Centres and Ecoparks of São Miguel and Terceira will directly employ more than 150 workers - three times the number of workers in 2012 - and it is anticipated that, together, these centres will generate an annual turnover of more than 10 million Euros."

"The subsequent process for the sealing of dumps and landfills is being carried out throughout the Region," the government official said, adding that the sealing of the landfills on Graciosa and Flores have already been completed, a public investment over two million Euros.

Luís Neto Viveiros also stressed that the contract works for the sealing of Santa Maria and Corvo landfills have already been awarded; the latter will be transformed into a demolition construction waste landfill.

"During 2016, we will move forward with the procedures for the sealing of the two landfills of São Jorge and Faial," said the government official.

Neto Viveiros stressed that "the results achieved are already encouraging and allow us to conclude that we are on the right track", pointing out, among other examples, that the "recovery of waste increased from 13.1% in 2012 to 23% in 2014 and disposal in landfill decreased from 86.9% to 77%."

The Regional Secretary also revealed that the latest data show that "last year the recycling of urban packaging may have exceeded 40 kilos per inhabitant, while the goal set by the National Government in June 2015 for the urban waste management systems was set at 33.29 kilos per capita in 2017."

"The best waste is that the one that is produced," Luís Neto Viveiros said, highlighting the importance of involving of all citizens, through awareness-raising actions, but also the commitment of companies and authorities for the success of the strategic waste prevention goals included in the Region Government's proposal to the Legislative Assembly, which was preceded by extensive consultation and public hearing.

In this regard, the Regional Secretary mentioned "the reduction of the content of harmful substances in materials and products, the extension of the life cycle of materials, the promotion of the reuse of products, the reduction of the amount of waste generated, and the mitigation of the adverse impact on the environment, public health and property protection resulting from waste production and management."