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

To mark the start of summer, 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 production peaks during this period, with August being the worst month.

Last year, between June and September, over 1.8 million tons of urban waste were generated; August alone accounted for 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 separation—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 separation must not be neglected, so as to reduce environmental impact,” APA emphasized in the statement.

The new initiative under the “Let’s separate the waste” campaign features a mobile unit that hosts activities inviting communities to reflect on the importance of waste separation.

“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 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 “excuses wall” displaying the reasons often given for failing to separate waste correctly.

The “Let’s separate the waste” campaign runs 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 a remit covering monitoring, planning and evaluation, licensing, and enforcement.

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