Last year, between June and September, over 1.8 million tons of municipal waste were produced.

The Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) issued a warning this Monday regarding the urgent need for proper waste sorting during the summer holidays—a time when municipal waste generation peaks, reaching nearly two million tons.

To mark the start of summer, the APA is touring six districts across the country with an information and awareness-raising initiative as part of its “Let’s separate the waste” campaign, which launched earlier this year. The agency highlights that waste generation is highest during this period, with August being the worst month.

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

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

“During this seasonal period, when families and friends gather—whether at home or while out and about—proper waste sorting should not be abandoned, so as to reduce environmental impact,” the APA emphasized in the statement.

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

“Contrary to common 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 does not take a break or rest during the summer. With this initiative, we hope to engage communities in an issue that concerns everyone, from the Algarve to the Minho,” said APA’s president José Pimenta Machado, as quoted in the statement.

The roadshow features a quiz on public knowledge regarding proper waste separation, a sustainable consumption simulator that identifies consumer profiles, workshops for creating art from recycled materials, and games. It also includes an “mural of excuses” displaying the reasons often given for failing to separate 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.

Source