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Description
The issue of the project is to implement a deposit and incentive system for the consumer to return the non-reusable beverage packaging, made of plastic, metal and glass, in the entire archipelago of Azores. The project objective is based on the acquisition of 25 reverse vending machines, designed for the deposit of non-reusable beverage packaging, to be installed in all 9 islands of the Azores archipelago, due to the territorial dispersion and guaranteeing at least one machine per municipality.
Summary of project results
The The Regional Directorate for the Environment (DRA) is the authority with competence in the field of the environment in the Autonomous Region of the Azores (RAA), whose mission is to contribute to the definition of regional policy in the fields of the environment and in particular in terms of waste management.
The Azorean Waste Management and Prevention Strategic Plan (PEPGRA), which includes the Regional Waste Prevention Program, establishes concrete actions to reduce production and improve waste management.
The Azores have the status of the outermost region of the European Union, due to the characteristics of the islands, archipelago and the long distance in relation to the mainland, representing increased technical and logistical difficulties and increased costs with waste management.
As a way to increase the quantity of selective collection of packaging waste, we intend to implement a deposit and incentive system for the consumer to return the non-reusable beverage packaging, made of plastic, metal and glass, in the entire archipelago. This system will make it possible to improve the quality of the packaging collected, making it more valuable when it is recycled and instilling good habits regarding the consumption of solid waste.
The project covers the entire population of the Azores and involves the entities managing Urban Waste, specifically the 19 municipalities of the RAA, through the respective associations and all the companies responsible for the sorting centers. Also noteworthy, is the involvement of the three largest companies in the beverage industry based in the Azores and the participation of the Integrated Citizen Support Network (RIAC), through its 55 stores on all of the islands.
The project is based on the acquisition of 25 reverse vending machines, designed for the deposit of non-reusable beverage packaging, to be installed in all 9 islands of the Azores archipelago, due to the territorial dispersion and guaranteeing at least one machine per municipality.
Plastic, glass, and metal (aluminum) beverage packaging will be accepted by the equipment (PET), with a capacity of up to 2.5 liters. The machine will accept the beverage packaging in question and the incentive mechanism for the return will consist of giving the consumer a minimum prize of € 0.05 per package that will be redeemed in cash, however, the user must withdraw the value accumulated from the RIAC store chain.
The machines will be linked to a personalized online platform that allows the tracking of the status of the quantities received, daily usage along with issuing alerts regarding storage, malfunctions, as well as other data.
The beverage packaging collected within the scope of the deposit systems, which is classified as Urban Waste and is sent for recycling through the respective urban waste management systems (SGRU).
The public deposit system is based on a territory, which guarantees widespread access for the population of the 19 municipalities of the Azores, so this will be complemented by private systems in retail stores, especially for the urban areas with a higher population concentration. Thus, in order to stimulate the adhesion of the retail trade, the Government of the Azores, through the DRA, will provide, during the year of 2021, a financial support mechanism for the acquisition of at least 10 (ten) non-packaging reverse vending machines to deposit the reusable drinks to the retail outlets. This support is being fully financed by the regional budget.
of Environment and Climate Change, focuses on contributing to the adoption of a circular
economy model.
The Project performed:
Characterization of the initial situation and study of the location of the equipment
Acquisition of equipment
Card issuance
Transportation and installation
Training for technicians from the Municipalities and SGRU
Project tracking and monitoring
Operation of 25 machines for depositing plastic, metal and glass beverage packaging
Creation of website, facebook, instagram and youtube channel to publicize the project and dissemination on the Portal of the Regional Government of the Azores and Portal of the Waste of the Azores
Dissemination of the project at regional level
Information/awareness actions in all municipalities (travel, accommodation and other costs): DRA technicians
Information and dissemination actions by the main beverage industries in the Autonomous Region of the Azores
Placement of a panel and commemorative plaque
Regional Legislative Decree No. 5/2022/A and Ordinance No. 31/2022:
- The deposit system for non-reusable beverage packaging will operate beyond the deadline of the Project, with a legal framework in article 15 of Regional Legislative Decree No. 5/2022/A, of March 4, which establishes measures to reduce the consumption of single-use products and promote reuse and recycling. Through Ordinance No. 31/2022, of May 17, the terms and criteria were defined applicable to the pilot deposit system for non-reusable plastic, glass and metal beverage packaging, including a mechanism to encourage the consumer to return the packaging, in order to ensure its recycling. Under the terms defined in the ordinance, the Azores packaging deposit system went into operation on May 18, 2022.
The project presented the following strenghts:
- Great adherence of the population; Increase in the quantity and quality of waste sent for recycling; Reduction of abandoned beverage packaging waste; Great commitment and involvement of all partners; Good response in terms of equipment operation and maintenance, even under heavy use.
The project presented the following weaknesses:
- Few equipment and with little storage capacity; Logistical difficulties in emptying the equipment; Abusive use of the system by citizens in conditions of social hardship; Abusive use of the system by citizens in conditions of social hardship.