Residents and businesses across the Municipality will receive free buckets to help collect bio-waste.
The Municipality of Lagoa is implementing a selective bio-waste (food and garden waste) collection system from homes, commercial establishments, restaurants, cafes, school canteens, and Private Social Solidarity Institution (IPSS). The Municipality says that this measure is being implemented to meet national and community goals for recovering biodegradable waste and reducing the large quantities currently sent to landfills.
“Around 40% of the waste we produce in our homes is biowaste, most of which is food waste. The correct separation at origin allows its recovery and transformation into compost for organic soil enrichment, contributing decisively to the circular economy”, highlights the Municipality in a statement.
The LAGOA VALORIZA + SELECTIVE PROXIMITY COLLECTION project will promote the selective collection of bio-waste from existing homes in the Municipality in specific containers placed on public roads next to the “ecological islands” installed in Lagoa. For this purpose, a 10-litre bucket will be distributed free of charge to every residence in the Municipality.
The LAGOA VALORIZA + CANAL HORECA project will carry out the selective collection of bio-waste from hotels, restaurants, canteens, cafés and pastry shops. For this purpose, 120-litre and 240-litre buckets will be distributed to participating establishments.
The LAGOA VALORIZA + project foresees the implementation of the system in two phases. The first phase, which began on November 2, focuses on the areas of Lagoa and Carvoeiro, covering around 273 establishments on the Horeca channel and all school and IPSS canteens. In terms of the general population, in this first phase, more than 4,000 accommodation units will be covered starting December 4.
The second phase, to be implemented next year, will extend organic waste collection to Ferragudo and Porches.
400-litre composters will also be delivered to citizens interested in composting at home.
According to the Municipality, around €150,000 will be invested to acquire collection equipment, subsidised by the Environmental Fund/PPR, and about €150,000 per year will be invested in bio-waste collection.
A communication campaign worth €20,000 is also underway to raise awareness among the population about the importance of recovering this waste and share information on how to go about it. The campaign also foresees information sessions and practical workshops on composting.
A website was also developed with all the information on this project and is now available here.
