Portugal's New Waste Management Proposal
The Secretary of State for the Environment, Emídio Sousa, advocates for a transformative model in Portugal that encourages citizens to pay for the waste they produce. This initiative aims to enhance recycling efforts and promote civic and environmental awareness.
During a recent visit to Ambigroup in Seixal, Sousa emphasized the need for a pragmatic approach, stating, “We are far below what we should be doing in terms of recycling.” He highlighted that merely raising civic awareness is insufficient; a system must be established that directly ties waste production to costs and recycling incentives.
The newly formed working group, tasked with developing a Landfill Emergency Plan, will consider incorporating this payment model in its conclusions. Sousa proposes that everyone should pay for the waste they generate while receiving incentives for recycling.
He noted that technology exists in other countries that could facilitate this model, which would ultimately be managed through local municipalities. However, he acknowledged the significant investments required and the need for voluntary participation from these municipalities.
Sousa also pointed out that Europe has set ambitious recycling goals, and it is crucial for Portugal to comply with these standards. He stressed that effective legislation must be coupled with practical implementation, asserting that landfills should be the last resort.
To optimize waste management, the focus should be on separating materials, recycling, and extracting usable components before considering energy recovery from non-recyclable waste. Sousa concluded that while future investments are necessary, immediate actions must optimize existing landfill operations.
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