The initiative aims to encourage the separation and valorization of biowaste at source, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and promoting circular economy practices in the municipality. The Mayor, Tiago Cunha, argued that the measure seeks to "reduce costs for families," as "the landfill disposal fee has increased from 9 euros to 95 euros per ton." The mayor emphasized that this is both an environmental and economic responsibility, involving citizens, institutions, companies, and the educational community in a shared effort to produce less waste.
"Caring for the resources we have today is also caring for the territory we want to leave for future generations," stated Tiago Cunha. Composting, described as a simple practice with a concrete impact, helps reduce waste, valorize a normally discarded resource, and use public resources more efficiently. Reducing waste sent to landfill is crucial both environmentally and economically, given the significant increase in disposal costs.
Composting transforms food scraps and green space maintenance waste into natural compost, useful for gardens and orchards. This initiative, accompanied by an awareness campaign, includes families, social institutions, and restaurants, recognizing the importance of everyone's involvement in reducing undifferentiated waste and associated costs.
The School Group of Paredes de Coura also received a composter, reinforcing the project's educational dimension. Promoted by the Municipality and funded by the Environmental Fund, the project aims to progressively decrease the amount of waste sent to landfill and increase valorized organic matter, closing the organic matter cycle and contributing to soil fertility.
