Region Strengthens Environmental Awareness Actions in Car Workshops

Since 2020, the Regional Directorate for Environment and the Sea (DRAM), through its Environmental Inspection Division, has been implementing an innovative awareness plan in Madeira’s vehicle maintenance and repair workshops. The initiative aims to promote best practices in hazardous waste management and to combat illegal discharges of substances such as used oils, filters, and solvents.

Adopting a closer and more educational approach, the strategy moves away from an exclusively punitive model, instead fostering technical dialogue and preventive support. Manuel Ara Oliveira, Regional Director for Environment and the Sea, highlighted the excellent reception of this methodology, reflected in a significant increase in the volume of waste directed to licensed operators after each session.

In addition, the Environmental Inspection launched an in-person action plan by municipality and parish, organised in small, informal, and collaborative groups. These sessions are personally promoted by environmental inspectors, who visit parishes and car workshops to present the initiative and clarify doubts.

The local engagement effort also includes technical support and guidance in completing key legal waste management forms: SILiAMB, MIRR, and e-GAR.

Given the growth in tourism and the number of car rental services, DRAM acknowledges the increasing environmental management challenges faced by workshops and is strengthening field operations and technical monitoring capacity. The next environmental awareness session is scheduled for Monte parish, to be held at the Municipal Auditorium (date to be announced). Expansion to other parishes and personalised technical support for participants are also planned.