The city of Teresina has finalized the edital for a new bidding process for garbage collection, a much-needed move as the city has not had a definitive contract for cleaning services since 2011. The proposal is currently undergoing a final review by the Municipal Attorney General's Office, and the municipality plans to officially announce the tender within the first half of March. Mayor Silvio Mendes highlighted that ensuring the public cleaning service is a priority for the local administration.

The new bidding process comes with an estimated cost of R$ 480 million for the first two years and introduces a significant change in the contracting format. The cleaning system is organized into two lots: the first will cover the Central area and the North and East zones, while the second will include the South and Southeast zones. This new structure mandates that the same company provides both household waste collection and urban maintenance within each lot, departing from the current model where services are divided among multiple contractors.

This shift aims to streamline operations and improve service efficiency amid ongoing challenges in managing municipal waste. The long delay since the last definitive licensing indicates broader issues in municipal governance and the importance of effective waste management in maintaining public health and urban cleanliness in Teresina.