ENVIRONMENT – Students from Vila Verde challenged to adopt more ecological, healthy and economical habits

At the celebration of World Earth Day at Escola Básica de Vila Verde, the municipal councilor for the environment, Patrício Araújo, shared figures of a “dangerous and unsustainable reality”, which is causing “harmful effects” on the planet and also the quality of people’s lives.

“We are prisoners of a disposable society”, warned Patrício Araújo, addressing students in the 2nd and 3rd cycles, who highlighted the access to “excellent training” and awareness of environmental issues, with a particular impact on management of waste.

Against the self-destructive practice of the “throwaway society” and in favor of a model of “more sustainable and healthy lifestyle habits”, the mayor presented the evolution of waste production numbers, which continue to grow. He took the opportunity to explain the municipality’s measures to reinforce recycling and waste management, highlighting the new project for collecting and using bio-waste.

Changing behaviors to avoid the production of waste and promote separation and recycling – as the councilor explained – represents “invaluable gains for the environment, health and the economy, allowing citizens to save a lot of money”.

In the municipality of Vila Verde, in 2023, 1,158 tons of glass, 1,006 tons of paper and 156 tons of packaging were collected. This separation of citizens represented a saving of 123,920 euros in the waste disposal fee and a reduction in the TGR-Waste Management Tax payable to the State. But the value could be better. Patrício Araújo regrets that 40% of unsorted waste still comes from packaging.

“Sustainability constitutes Humanity’s greatest challenge for the 21st century”, pointed out the mayor, calling for “a greater balance between economic development and the environment”. “Forcibly, we will have to adopt a more sustainable development model, to the detriment of a ‘disposable’ economic model”, defended Patrício Araújo, drawing attention to the fact that “the exhaustion of natural resources and climate change are visible to everyone”.