OesteCIM opens sustainable vertical garden in Caldas

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The headquarters of the Intermunicipal Community of the West (OesteCIM), in Caldas da Rainha, received this Wednesday, August 7, the first harvest of its urban vertical garden, a symbolic moment that marks the start of an innovative project focused on sustainability, local production and environmental literacy.

The initiative, attended by the mayors of the region's municipalities, resulted from the installation of five aeroponic towers by the company Up Farming, capable of growing 44 plants without the use of soil, pesticides, or large amounts of water. The harvested vegetables were distributed internally, a gesture that OesteCIM intends to repeat regularly, promoting sustainable and local practices.

"We're reaping much more than just vegetables. We're reaping a new paradigm of public action, in which we lead by example, optimize resources, and engage people in concrete solutions for a more sustainable future," said Paulo Simões, Executive Secretary of OesteCIM, during the project presentation.

Vertical gardens are part of the second edition of the Institutional Pact for the Promotion of the Circular Economy in the Central Region, and promote a zero-kilometer approach, minimizing the carbon footprint by eliminating transportation, packaging, and storage.

According to Paulo Simões, this is "a seed" for deeper changes: "We believe it's possible to transform small gestures into major cultural shifts. This project involves technology, respect for natural resources, and social responsibility."

In addition to sustainable food production, the vertical gardens will also have an educational aspect, with workshops on food literacy and sustainability for the local community.

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