Braga is hosting the national roadshow “Let’s separate the waste” until tomorrow. This initiative, promoted by the Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) with support from the Environmental Fund and European co-financing, aims to raise public awareness regarding the proper separation and recovery of biowaste.

Praça da República has thus been transformed into a space for learning and interaction, bringing together hundreds of children, families, and visitors to promote more sustainable habits.

During the presentation of the initiative, Braga’s Mayor, João Rodrigues, highlighted the importance of hosting an event of this scale in a city that is growing and facing new environmental challenges. “Braga’s growth also brings new challenges regarding waste management, and we must be prepared to address them,” he stated, emphasizing that raising awareness among younger generations is crucial. “It is vital to start educating children about the importance of waste separation. We know much more today than we did a few years ago, and that information needs to reach families,” he stressed.

João Rodrigues also expressed satisfaction that Braga is part of the campaign’s national tour, noting that the presence of the APA and the Office of the Secretary of State for the Environment reinforces the municipality’s commitment to sustainability policies. Also in attendance, the Secretary of State for the Environment, João Manuel Esteves, called for the entire population to get involved in changing behaviors. “We want a clean Portugal, and that starts with each of us,” he stated. The official explained that the priority is to avoid waste generation, reduce waste, reuse, and recycle, noting that bio-waste can be transformed into compost for agriculture or into energy. “Waste can cease to be mere trash and become a resource with environmental, economic, and social value,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, the president of the Portuguese Environmental Agency, José Pimenta Machado, warned of the rise in waste generation during the summer months, explaining why the campaign is taking place at this time of year. “Each Portuguese person produces about half a ton of waste annually, and around 40 percent of that is biowaste,” he noted, adding that Portugal’s separate waste collection levels remain insufficient. “We need to change behaviors. The best waste is the waste that isn’t produced; when it is produced, it must be correctly sorted so it can be recovered,” he argued.

The “Let’s separate the waste” roadshow is traveling across the country, featuring games, workshops, interactive challenges, and educational activities for all ages. It aims to encourage greater citizen participation in waste sorting and reduce the amount of trash sent to landfills.

During the stop in Braga, around 150 children from local schools and institutions took part in the initiative’s launch, reinforcing the commitment to early environmental education.

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