With the arrival of summer this Sunday, waste generation in Portugal is reaching alarming levels. To raise public awareness about this issue, the Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) has launched an initiative that will tour the country until July 26, featuring educational activities for the whole family.

Ana Cristina Carrola, a member of the APA’s board of directors, identifies the shift in routine caused by the traditional summer holiday season—combined with a more relaxed, laid-back mindset—as a primary driver of the spike in waste generation between June and August. Last year alone, 1.8 million tons of waste were produced during this period. “We have seen a very significant increase in waste generation over the last two years. In 2024, there was an increase of nearly 4%, and in 2025, we recorded figures between 1.5% and 2%. We are concerned by this rise, which comes on top of waste generation levels that were already above the EU average,” the APA official explained to JN.

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