The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism reinforced in Ponta Delgada "the need to change current consumption options that are detrimental to the environment."
 
Marta Guerreiro pointed out that the policies of the Regional Government's policies in these matters are based on "lines of action geared towards the prevention and reduction of waste production," through "the adoption of measures primarily aimed at achieving environmental sustainability."
 
In this context, the government official pointed out some initiatives carried out by the Government, namely the implementation of measures to reduce the consumption of plastic bags and the enforcement of an ecotax for their use. Moreover, she highlighted the resolution issued by the Council of the Government in December that has "approved the guidelines and the respective measures to reduce the production of waste, namely plastics, and to promote their reuse and recycling in public services.
 
The Secretary for the Environment spoke at the Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, Environment and Labour of the Legislative Assembly on three legislative initiatives: two draft resolutions and a petition focused on reducing the use of disposable plastic.
 
The government official emphasised "the maturity of a society that submits a petition to a Regional Legislative Assembly with these concerns," which is something that should "happen more frequently in an increasingly society involved in environmental citizenship matters." In addition to this petition, the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party presented two proposals that precisely meet the same goal."
 
"These three initiatives could not be more in line with what our action has been for the sustainability of the Azores," said Marta Guerreiro. According to her, "they demonstrate that the commitment to prevent waste produced in the Region, both in terms of quantity and quality, must be continuously coupled with a reduction in the environmental impact of products throughout their life cycle, particularly non-biodegradable ones."
 
"The adoption of measures proposed by hotels, restaurants cafes and similar establishments as well as the introduction of alternative materials reflecting the adoption of solutions to achieve environmental sustainability are of paramount importance, being in line with our concerns," added the government official.
 
"The measures reflecting this option have been adopted not only by these sectors, but also by the Regional Public Administration and the Legislative Assembly. This represents an extremely important example for all Azoreans and for those visiting us in terms of environmental behaviours," noted the Regional Secretary.
 
Marta Guerreiro mentioned the specific case of plastic water bottles, noting that one should opt for the consumption of tap water instead of bottled water, which "represents a significant reduction in the levels of plastic waste production."
 
In this context, the Secretary for the Environment stated that the reports issued by the Entity for the Regulation of Water and Waste Services on the Monitoring of Drinking Water Quality "evidence a percentage of monitored and good quality public supply water of around 99%. Therefore, it may be concluded that drinking water from the public supply network represents a safe and extremely advantageous option in environmental and economic terms."