The Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) issued a warning today regarding the urgent need for proper waste sorting during the summer holidays—a time when the highest volume of municipal waste is generated, totaling nearly two million tons.

To mark the start of summer, the APA is taking its “Let’s separate the waste” awareness campaign—launched earlier this year—on a tour of six districts. The initiative aims to inform and raise awareness, highlighting that waste generation peaks now, with August being the worst month.

Last year, between June and September, over 1.8 million tons of municipal waste were produced; August alone accounted for more than 480,000 tons, the APA noted in a statement released today.

With July and August being the most critical months, this new phase of the campaign seeks to highlight the need for proper waste sorting—even while on vacation—and to promote responsible behavior.

“During this seasonal period, when families and friends gather at home or while out and about, proper waste sorting should not be abandoned; maintaining this practice helps reduce environmental impact,” the APA emphasized in the statement.

The new phase of the “Let’s separate the waste” campaign features a traveling truck that serves as a base for initiatives inviting communities to reflect on the importance of waste sorting.

“Contrary to popular belief, summer is consistently the period of highest waste generation in Portugal. This trend is expected to continue this year. However, it is important to stress that waste doesn’t take a break or rest during the summer. Through this initiative, we hope to engage communities in addressing a problem that affects everyone, from the Algarve to the Minho region,” said APA’s president José Pimenta Machado, as quoted in the statement.

The roadshow includes a quiz to test public knowledge on proper waste sorting, a sustainable consumption simulator that identifies consumer profiles, workshops for creating art from recycled materials, and various games. It also includes an “mural of excuses” featuring the excuses often given for failing to sort waste correctly.

The “Let’s separate the waste” campaign continues until the end of the year.

The APA, a public institute within the State’s indirect administration, is the entity responsible for implementing environmental policies in Portugal, with responsibilities covering monitoring, planning and evaluation, licensing, and enforcement.

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