Praça da República in Braga has become the epicenter of sustainability with the launch of the national roadshow “Let’s separate the waste”. The initiative, running from today, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, 2026, is promoted by the Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA), with support from the Environmental Fund and co-financing from European funds. Its primary goal is to raise awareness and mobilize the community regarding the proper separation and recovery of biowaste (organic waste).

The event’s official presentation at Braga’s iconic “Arcada” brought together government officials, local leaders, and environmental executives, and was notable for the strong presence of around 150 children from local schools and social welfare institutions (IPSS).

Braga’s Mayor João Rodrigues emphasized the campaign’s crucial impact on the local strategy, noting that the project arrives at the right moment for a city experiencing continuous growth—a city that needs to align its environmental responses with this demographic dynamic.

The mayor focused on education, highlighting the strategic commitment to training the younger generation. For Rodrigues, early education on the importance of waste separation ensures that new generations grow up aware that organic waste holds value and that its proper treatment makes a significant difference to the urban ecosystem.

The event’s national significance was underscored by the Secretary of State for the Environment, João Manuel Esteves, who described the commitment to recycling as vital for everyone, linking it to the goal of building a “clean Portugal” through grassroots, community-focused actions.

Meanwhile, APA’s President José Pimenta Machado highlighted the seasonal challenges facing sustainability. He noted that the arrival of summer and the rise in tourism lead to increased waste generation, making it even more urgent to reinforce these awareness campaigns among residents and visitors to prevent organic matter from unnecessarily ending up in landfills.

Throughout the weekend, the roadshow venue will offer recreational and educational activities as well as interactive experiences for families, turning citizens into active agents in promoting a culture of environmental responsibility.

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