Campaign visits Braga in July, highlighting the importance of recycling during the holiday season.

The Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) is launching an awareness-raising initiative across six districts to combat the surge in waste generation during the summer months. Part of the “Let’s separate the waste” campaign, the initiative aims to encourage more responsible behavior regarding waste sorting and recycling.

According to the APA, over 1.8 million tons of municipal waste were generated in Portugal between June and September 2025, with August recording the highest volume—exceeding 480,000 tons. In light of this, the agency seeks to remind the public of the need to maintain recycling habits even while on vacation.

The campaign will be rolled out via a traveling roadshow visiting Coimbra, Aveiro, Braga, Castelo Branco, Évora, and Portimão. In Braga, the event will take place from July 3 to 5.

The mobile unit will feature various interactive activities, including a waste-sorting quiz, a sustainable consumption simulator, workshops on reusing recycled materials, and games for all ages. A key highlight will be the “mural of excuses,” which will display common reasons people give for not recycling, challenging participants to adopt more sustainable habits.

APA’s president José Pimenta Machado emphasizes that summer remains the peak season for waste generation in the country, noting that responsible waste management should not be abandoned during the holidays.

The initiative will run for 18 days with free admission, aiming to engage local communities in reflecting on the environmental challenges associated with consumption and waste production.

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