The Tender For Construction Of The Incinerator In San Bernardo De Campo Has Been Suspended

(Oct, 25th) The offer made by San Bernardo de Campo, Brazil, to choose the company that would build the Waste Processing and Energy Recovery Unit (ERU-SPAR) in the neighborhood of Alvarenga, was suspended by the State Court of Auditors (ECA ) in Sao Paulo on 15 October. The news was very welcomed and celebrated by the Brazilian Anti incineration Coalition and the National Movement of Wastepickers of Brazil. André Abreu, a brazilian activist who is working on behalf of GAIA together with the Brazilian Anti incineration Coalition said that "civil society organizations in Sao Paulo and Sao Bernardo do Campo won an important victory and the pressure of organized social movements was crucial in this process of resistance. Also, the support and activism of lawyers and jurists who competently proved the environmental and social risks of the project."

The decision was taken by the adviser Robson Marinho, who accepted the request of the attorney Jose Eduardo Lopes de Faria, who claims that there are irregularities in the process.

This is not the only legal action against the Usina Verde. On July 21, wastepickers at San Bernardo linked to the National Movement of Recyclers (MNCR) Maria Monica da Silva and Maria Francisca de Lima, filed a lawsuit seeking the annulment of the decree, alleging that the incinerator would destroy the recyclable materials, damage the environment as well as the work of all wastepickers in the region. Against this action the Court has taken no position yet because, as Judge Ida Ines Del Cid said, they are working in too many processes. The environmental lawyer Virgilio Alcides de Farias has questioned these statements because "we did an emergency call to action with a request for precautionary measures, and so far the judge did nothing. It has been almost three months. "

According to the environmentalist, the area where the plant would be built is a site of preservation (APP) in both the Billings National Law and the Federal Government´s Solid Waste Policy. In the frame of these Laws industrial initiatives that emit persistent organic pollutants are vetoed. "They are terrible pollutants that are not biodegradable and can cause cancer," he said.

The press office of the City of San Bernardo said the government has been notified of the suspension of the offer and is taking the necessary actions.