According to an estimate prepared by the Regional Directorate for the Environment and Climate Change (DRAAC), the global production of waste in 2019 in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (RAM) was approximately 285.8 thousand tonnes, an increase of more than 61.9 thousand tonnes compared with the previous year.
This increase of 27.7% is mainly explained by the increased amount of aggregate waste, which went up from 62.5 to 121.7 thousand tons between 2018 and 2019. Excluding this component – which over the years has shown appreciable fluctuations – the overall increase was lower.
The main component of global production concerns waste that is treated at the Meia Serra Solid Waste Treatment Station (133.5 thousand tons), an increase of 2.1% compared to 2018. Moreover, in 2019, the composting unit came back on line and 2.5 thousand tons of organic waste was composted.
Furthermore, waste destined for recycling / recovery outside the RAM was around 28.1 thousand tons, down 3.4% compared to the previous year. However, in 2019 the value of tyres in the region quadrupled over the course of 12 months.
Recyclables, such as paper and card reached 8.8 thousand tonnes, down 5.4% compared to 2018, while scrap metal rose by 20.5% to 7.8 thousand tons. The amount of glass sent for recycling rose slightly by 1% to 6.2 thousand tonnes.
This increase in the production of waste should be viewed as a positive indication that people are increasingly aware of the importance of waste disposal and the continued provision of ECO points and waste collection is therefore essential.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
