Since 1993, the IBGE legally requires regional public administrations to take into account a series of environmental and waste management considerations in their procurement decisions and office management. These requirements are consistent with those at national and European level.
The IBGE follows the implementation of the regional legal texts (circulars) by supervising and supporting the administrations concerned. It provides informative web pages, a help desk (via email), training sessions, technical guides, examples of specifications and awareness raising tools like posters and videos.
The first regional ministerial circular for eco-consumption and waste management (8 July 1993) focused on paper, hazardous waste, and general waste. It called for the promotion of eco-consumption within the administration, awareness raising among its staff and the allocation of sufficient resources (including staff time).
Regarding waste prevention it called for:
- reduction in the quantity of paper waste by fostering a more rational use (printing only the quantity needed, double-sided printing, print-preview, circulating and centralising documents, become acquainted with the content of a document rather than taking a copy…)
- reduction of the quantity of hazardous waste by buying environmentally friendly office products (writing materials, glues, correcting fluids, inks, batteries, toners…)
- promotion of reuse of equipment and products
