The Municipality of Horta applied for the “Circular Event” seal, an environmental quality certificate promoted by the Regional Directorate for the Environment and Climate Change, which aims to distinguish the good practices of organizing entities.
Recognizing that organizing events like this entails high consumption of natural resources and waste production, Eduardo Pereira, who sits on the Horta City Council, considers that these impacts can be minimized by applying circularity policies and sustainability principles.
“Semana do Mar is already an event recognized for valuing the environmental theme in its organization”, declared Eduardo Pereira, and in this first phase of candidacy, Semana do Mar obtained a score of 78 points (out of 100 possible), a value well above the 50 points necessary to be considered a circular adherent event.
“The Horta City Council has prioritized sustainable and environmentally friendly actions in the biggest celebrations in the municipality, such as the use of reusable cups with a deposit, to avoid the accumulation of cups on the ground and at sea, promotion, and awareness of recycling, through the provision of eco points, oil cans, and ashtrays, as well as encouraging adherent concessionaires to make their own and creative eco points, to join the contest that takes place annually during the party, “he said.
In addition to these actions, the council member responsible for environmental issues also recalled the availability of drinking fountains in the Festa grounds and the city itself, the use of low-energy consumption lighting, and the reuse of structures and communication materials.
Present at the 46th edition of the Week of the Sea, which is taking place this week- place from August 4 to 13 – will once again be the Ecoquiosque in Parque da Alagoa, where the population of Faial and visitors can purchase the Ecocaneca of the Week of the Sea, and also receive prizes when participating in the game of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
“This is another way to raise awareness and teach residents important practices that we should all have daily. By acting locally, we promote sustainable development globally”, he highlighted, inviting the visit to the space dedicated to the actions promoted by the Municipality, including environmental ones, located next to the inflatables and handicrafts.
Eduardo Pereira also stresses that “in Semana do Mar, we make a difference, and with the green seal, we want to go even further, but for that, we count on the help and commitment of all, whether organization, dealers, and participants, in adopting more sustainable choices and preventing waste,” he concluded.
After the Semana do Mar -Week of the Sea – there will be a new evaluation of the environmental practices implemented during the event to award the final certification of the event.
This news story is from the newspaper Tribuna das Ilhas from Horta, Faial.
Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Medial Alliance) at California State University, Fresno.
Here is a beautiful personal journey of Semana do Mar from 2014. An excellent read and magnificent images.
Novidades - The Islands and the Diaspora 