The Autonomous Region of the Azores has sent for recycling about 7,100 tonnes of used packaging in the first nine months of this year, which represents an increase of 10% compared to the same period in 2014.

The data released by the Green Dot Society (Sociedade Ponto Verde) indicate that plastic was the collected material that registered the highest growth, with an increase of 23%, reaching 1,200 tonnes, followed by wood with an increase of 13% (190 tonnes), and metal with a growth of 9% (150 tonnes).

However, paper/cardboard was the material that recorded the highest amount collected, reaching 3,189 tonnes, which represents an increase of 8% compared to the previous year.

The collection of glass materials, amounting to about 2,370 tonnes, increased 6% over the same period of the previous year.

In the archipelago, the highest growths were registered on Pico, Faial and São Jorge as a result of the entry into operation of the waste processing centres.

As for collections "per capita," waste processing centres on Flores and Graciosa maintain the best results at national level.

The data reflect the public investment made by the Government of the Azores in the construction of waste processing centres, as well as the effort and commitment of all industry partners and citizens in the separation, collection and recycling of these materials, thus putting the Region at the forefront of the recovery of used packaging and packaging waste.