Regional Government moves forward with pilot project aimed at municipalities for selective collection of organic waste
The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stated in Horta that the Regional Government intends to develop a pilot project in 2020 aimed at "supporting municipalities that wish to begin the selective collection of organic waste."
"Later this year, we will finalise the procedure for the acquisition of 750 800-litre containers for the disposal of biodegradable municipal waste," Marta Guerreiro said, adding that these containers "will be delivered to the municipalities joining the pilot project and they will be placed next selective waste collection points.”
The Secretary for the Environment stated that the project will be funded by ERDF under the Azores 2020 Operational Programme, revealing that a LIFE project - Better COMPOST - has been submitted to the European Commission. According to her, "if approved, it will enable to broaden the scope of action from September 2020 as far as the project provides for an investment of two million Euros."
Public awareness campaigns are also planned under this initiative.
“We intend to perceive how far is the reflection of the municipalities on the selective collection of organic waste and to launch the challenge to join in 2020 the pilot project we present today,” Marta Guerreiro stressed, noting that recent amendments to the Waste Directive imposed the obligation for selective collection of organic waste by 2023.
The Regional Secretary spoke at a meeting with Regional Municipalities on waste and protection perimeters for the abstraction of public drinking water. On the occasion, she stressed the importance of “compliance with the rules and criteria defining protection perimeters for surface and groundwater abstraction for public consumption in the Region." Moreover, she highlighted the responsibilities assigned to these entities in "selecting, sealing and identifying the immediate protection areas as well as in keeping them clean."
Marta Guerreiro also considered that these working meetings are fundamental for a partnership work so that the Regional Government can follow up and provide technical support in the implementations of these measures by the Local Authorities.