The Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) has warned of a significant rise in urban waste generation during the summer months, revealing that—contrary to popular belief—this is the time of year when the most waste is produced in Portugal. Between June and September, over 1.8 million tons of urban waste were generated; August was the peak month, with more than 480,000 tons produced nationwide.

In light of these figures, APA is marking the start of the summer season with a new phase of the “Let’s separate the waste” campaign. This awareness-raising initiative aims to highlight the importance of proper waste sorting and recycling during the holiday period. The campaign will travel across various regions of the country over 18 days, visiting Coimbra, Aveiro, Braga, Castelo Branco, Évora, and Portimão.

According to the agency, July and August remain the most demanding months for urban waste management. Increased travel, leisure activities, family vacations, and seasonal consumption all contribute to higher waste generation, making it crucial for citizens to maintain waste sorting and recycling habits, even when away from their usual routines.

APA emphasizes that vacations should not mean abandoning environmentally responsible behavior. The agency maintains that proper waste sorting ensures materials are correctly routed for recycling, helping to mitigate the environmental impact associated with increased consumption and waste production during the hottest months of the year.

The summer campaign will be carried out using a mobile unit—a “Roadshow” truck—that will travel to various Portuguese cities to conduct information, awareness, and public engagement activities. The mobile space will feature an interactive quiz to test visitors’ knowledge of recycling and waste sorting, a sustainable consumption simulator designed to identify each participant’s consumption profile, art workshops using recycled materials, and various recreational activities for all ages.

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As part of the “Let’s separate the waste” awareness campaign launched earlier this year, APA will tour six districts across the country with an information and outreach initiative.

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 urban waste generation peaks, reaching nearly two million tons.

Marking the start of summer, APA is taking its “Let’s separate the waste” campaign—launched earlier this year—to six districts across the country for an information and awareness drive, highlighting that waste production is highest right now, with August being the worst month.

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

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 minimize environmental impact,” 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. Through 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.

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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.

Source