The Regional Director for the Environment revealed in Horta that the implementation of the waste management policy by the Regional Government contributed to the recovery of over 23% of the urban solid waste produced in the archipelago in 2013, compared to 14% in the previous year.

Hernâni Jorge noted that a total of 25 tonnes of waste were recovered, which enabled the Region to reach a "recovery rate of 23.03%." The government official added that "Community and regional rules require that this rate reach 50% by 2020," which corresponds to an estimated 54 thousand tonnes.

The Regional Director for the Environment spoke to journalists at a press conference for the presentation of the 2013 report on the Regional Information System on Waste (SRIR). According to him, this is a strategic tool for information management in the area of waste planning. The positive results are closely related to the entry into operation of the first Waste Processing Centres (CPR) that were implemented by the Regional Government.

On the islands of Flores and Graciosa, leaders of the Ponto Verde Society rankings on packaging waste management, the recovery of waste "exceeded the forwarding of waste for disposal," revealed Hernâni Jorge. The Government also expects to reduce the percentage of disposed waste on other islands, "which are still awaiting the entry into operation of some investments already made and the implementation of other investments," namely the eco-parks of São Miguel and Terceira.

Currently, the São Jorge Waste Processing Centre awaits the approval by the Court of Auditors so that the concessionaire can begin to operate, while the Pico Waste Processing Centre awaits the Central Administrative Court's decision on an appeal submitted by one the bidders in respect to the operation of the centre.

On the island of Corvo, the operations will be resumed as the works for the installation of the rooftop damaged by bad weather have been concluded. Meanwhile, the terms for the operation of Faial Waste Processing Centre are being finalised with the Horta City Hall.

On the island of Santa Maria, there is a delay in the completion of the Waste Processing Centre for reasons that fall under the responsibility of the contractor.

Hernâni Jorge also recalled the sealing of landfills that are taking place of six islands, representing an overall public investment of nearly five million Euros.

The computer platform of SRIR gathers all the information on the production and management of waste in the Azores as well as on the entities operating in this sector.

The document consists of a summary report (regional) and individualised reports for each island.
All parts of the report may be consulted until the end of the week at the following electronic address: http://www.azores.gov.pt/Gra/srrn-residuos/conteudos/livres/Relatorios+SRIR.htm.