The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment participated in Vila do Porto in the launch of the "Mission Recycling" campaign, an initiative to take place in the next two months on Santa Maria. The government official emphasised that there are several ongoing campaigns in the Azores with the aim of promoting good practices in management of various waste types.
 
Luís Neto Viveiros noted that, through this initiative, the Regional Directorate for the Environment, with the collaboration of the local Town Hall and Village Councils, will "knock on the door" of Santa Maria homes to deliver containers for the recycling of packaging waste .
 
Following the entry into force of the Waste Processing Centre, opened Monday by the President of the Government under the Statutory Visit to Santa Maria, and the sealing of the landfill, the Regional Secretary mentioned that they "involve the adjustment of procedures." According to him, this action is intended to promote the separation of municipal waste for recycling.
 
In addition to this specific action for the island of Santa Maria, Neto Viveiros pointed out that are ongoing regional campaign on the correct destination for "bio waste" and "used clothing." These initiatives are being implemented by Natural Parks in collaboration with municipalities and other services of the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and the Environment of each island.
 
The initiatives aim to inform and raise awareness of the importance of waste separation and its appropriate referral in order to reduce the quantities of waste disposed in landfill.
 
Individuals may deliver bio waste as well as plant and forest biomass free of charge at Waste Processing Centres, up to five tonnes per year. Whenever possible, this type of waste should be used for home composting and the compound may be used as a fertiliser in farming and gardening.
 
Bio waste consists of biodegradable waste from green spaces, such as gardens, parks or sports grounds, food and biodegradable waste.
 
Biomass is produced from agricultural and forestry waste.
 
As for used clothing that can still be reused, the waste container is not the appropriate destination as some of its components do no degrade naturally. In this regard, the Secretary for the Environment raised the population's awareness for its social utility.