Semas presents strategies to strengthen sustainable solid waste management in the Guamá Region
Meeting in Igarapé-Açu brought together representatives from 28 municipalities, waste pickers, and institutions seeking integrated solutions for the sector
The Government of Pará, through the State Secretariat for the Environment, Climate and Sustainability (Semas), participated this Thursday (28) in the meeting "Business Opportunities with Sustainable Solid Waste Management in the Guamá Region," held in the municipality of Igarapé-Açu. The initiative brought together representatives from city halls, waste picker cooperatives, public and private institutions to discuss alternatives for the correct disposal of solid waste, focusing on socioeconomic inclusion and environmental sustainability.
During the event, the Deputy Secretary for Environmental Management and Regularity of Semas, Rodolpho Zahluth Bastos, highlighted the importance of the topic for the State and the fundamental role of waste pickers in urban waste policy.
“We have a historical liability in this area, and the role of waste pickers is essential in the management of urban waste. It is a joy to see the network of municipalities and waste pickers being mobilized, especially in this pre-COP period, when we need to show international funders the importance of the topic for the climate agenda in the Amazon and the initiatives already underway in the State that need to scale up,” he stated.
Practical actions and local partnerships
The representative of Semas also presented advances achieved through partnerships with local institutions, such as the Institute for Sustainable Amazon Development (IDEASSU), highlighting successful experiences that can be replicated in other regions.
“We are structuring cooperatives, delivering equipment such as glass crushers, and strengthening arrangements that can be multiplied throughout the State. In just three months, we managed to allocate 40 tons of glass to the reverse logistics system of the Brazilian Beverage Association, with the support of Ideassu in Igarapé-Açu. This is one of the models we want to take to other municipalities in Pará,” pointed out Rodolpho Bastos.
Regional mobilization for sustainability
Promoted by the Guamazônia Group, in partnership with the Igarapé-Açu City Hall, Sebrae Pará, and IDEASSU, the meeting aimed to initiate a regional cooperation movement to address the challenges of solid waste management. The president of IDEASSU, Carol Magalhães, highlighted the engagement of municipalities and the importance of collective dialogue.
“Today, we have representatives from 28 cities interested in hearing solutions on the topic. There is no single answer to this challenge; we need to unite different alternatives. This is the first step to make it a reality,” she stated.
The program included lectures, thematic panels, and experience sharing on public policies, recycling, reverse logistics, and technologies for waste treatment, reinforcing Pará's role as a reference in promoting sustainable and inclusive models in the sector.
