Improper disposal of waste and disregard for disposal times on public roads are problems that affect urban hygiene, but there is a municipality in the north of the country that has decided to adopt a zero tolerance stance. Those who do not comply with strict waste management rules will face much stricter surveillance and severe financial penalties. The decision aims to combat neglect and ensure the cleanliness of the streets through punitive and inspection measures.
The Famalicão City Council approved a substantial increase in fines for anyone caught depositing garbage outside identified locations or outside permitted times. For individual citizens, the value of fines will triple, making polluting a costly mistake.
The news is reported by Jornal de Notícias, which details the changes to the Environmental Regulatory Code approved by the city council executive. In the case of companies and collective entities, the infraction will also be more expensive, with fines doubling compared to the current table.
Exclusive brigade to hunt down offenders
The central objective of this regulatory review is to deter incorrect behavior that compromises public health. The councilor responsible for supervision admits that there are critical locations already identified in the municipality, which usually correspond to transit sites where waste is frequently abandoned.
The same source indicates that the municipality will move from words to actions starting next March. A Municipal Police brigade will be created dedicated daily and exclusively to monitoring this matter, covering the ground to prosecute anyone who commits malfeasance.
Changes to collection and times
In addition to reinforcing surveillance, the operational waste management system will undergo significant changes for residents. Garbage collection will only be carried out at night, a strategic change to improve the efficiency of the service and the city’s image during the day.
The aforementioned source explains that the municipality will also invest in the installation of collective disposal equipment in residential areas that do not have garbage disposal houses. These new containers will have conditional access, being exclusive to residents of the buildings covered.
Enhanced sanitation and hygiene
The installation of this new equipment follows strict hygiene criteria to avoid public health problems. The deposition islands will have connection systems to the water and sanitation network, guaranteeing all healthy conditions and regular cleaning.
The municipal plan also includes expanding the bio-waste collection circuit to more areas of the territory. The intention is to cover the entire municipality with these modern solutions, facilitating the correct separation of organic waste by the population.
Reinforcement of the ecopoint network
In parallel with the punitive aspect for offenders, the council will increase the supply of containers for those who want to recycle correctly. It is planned to install another 300 recycling bins in the next two months, distributed across several locations.
It also explains how these integrated measures aim to change the region’s environmental paradigm. Between daily police inspections and increased fines, the warning to the inhabitants of Famalicão is clear regarding the fate of household waste.
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