Algemesí is a Valencian municipality that was selected to develop the first market model for local products with zero environmental impact, “The Rebost- Mercat sense packaging”. The project of The Rebosta pioneer in the Ribera del Xúquer, will develop compensation plans for C02 emissions and toxic waste, eliminating the highest percentage through the promotion of the local market and bulk sale. In order to make the initiative a reality in the municipality, the promoters of El Rebost have started a campaign of crowdfunding at lateuaterra.org which is still active.
“Rebost is based on a market concept that seeks to strengthen ties between producers and consumers and eliminate forms of production and consumption, which are unsustainable in the long term, which involve large amounts of C02 emissions.”, affirms Silvia Moscardó, one of the promoters of the project. With this market model, it intends to differentiate itself from the large commercial surfaces of the Valencian Community and promote a more sustainable management of the planet’s resources.
Towards a more sustainable model
According to the United Nations Organization, the food sector represents about 30% of the world’s total energy consumption and produces 22% of greenhouse gas emissions. Extensive farming and ranching models cause land degradation and a decrease in soil fertility due to excessive use of fertilizers or overabundance of water.
“Furthermore, every year 1,300 tons of food are wasted and end up rotting in containers due to bad practices of large commercial surfaces and this also causes toxic gas emissions. We need models of sustainable consumption to try to stop this way of producing”adds the promoter of El Rebost.
The team of entrepreneurs that leads “El Rebost- Mercat sense envasos” has little more than a month to get 4,200 euros, the funding set to create this space. During the time that the project is active on Lateuaterra.org, the first Valencian crowdfunding platform specialized and dedicated to projects that care for, respect and improve the environment in the region, anyone can contribute to making this market model a reality.
Lateuaterra.org follows the systematic traditional crowdfunding platforms for donations and rewards. The promoters of the different projects send their ideas with a description and a budget to carry it out. A technical committee assesses that the project is really beneficial for the environment, complies with regulations and does not produce a carbon footprint.
The promoter has 39 days to make their proposal known and reach the funding target set to be able to develop it. During this time, anyone can contribute an amount to the project, for which they receive a small reward. The sum of individual contributions makes it possible for initiatives to go ahead.
Photo: Lateuaterra
