From June 19 to 21, Praça da República in Coimbra will host an awareness-raising event organized by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) focused on the proper sorting of urban waste. The initiative is part of the national campaign “Let’s separate the waste” and marks the start of summer, a period that typically sees an increase in waste generation in Portugal.

The event will feature a traveling truck—a “Roadshow”—that will tour six districts across the country. Coimbra is the first stop for the initiative, which will also visit Aveiro, Braga, Castelo Branco, Évora, and Portimão.

Over the three days, the site will host various public activities, including a quiz on waste sorting, a sustainable consumption simulator, workshops on reusing recycled materials, and games designed for different age groups.

The initiative also includes an “mural of excuses,” displaying some of the most common reasons people give for not recycling, in an effort to encourage more responsible waste management habits.

According to the APA, over 1.8 million tons of urban waste were produced in Portugal between June and September 2025, with August recording the highest volume—exceeding 480,000 tons.

The campaign aims to highlight the importance of maintaining proper waste sorting even during the holiday season, thereby facilitating recycling and reducing environmental impact.

The “Roadshow” will be at Praça da República on Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Participation is free.

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