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 urban waste is generated, totaling nearly two million tons.

Why is summer the peak season for waste generation in Portugal?
To mark the start of summer, 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 during this period, with August being the worst month.

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

What is the main goal of this new campaign phase?
With July and August being the most critical months, this new phase of the campaign aims to highlight the need for proper waste sorting—even while on vacation—and to promote responsible behavior.

Should we continue to sort our waste even when on holiday?
“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 reduce environmental impact,” APA emphasized in the statement.

What will the new “Let’s separate the waste” campaign activity entail?
The new “Let’s separate the waste” campaign activity features a mobile unit that serves as a base for initiatives inviting communities to reflect on the importance of waste sorting.

Why does summer pose a challenge for waste management?
“Contrary to common belief, summer is consistently the period with the highest waste generation in Portugal. This trend is expected to continue this year. However, it is important to emphasize that waste does not take a break or rest during the summer. With this initiative, we hope to engage communities in a problem that concerns everyone, from the Algarve to the Minho,” said APA’s president José Pimenta Machado, as quoted in the statement.

What activities are planned to raise public awareness?
The roadshow includes a quiz on public knowledge regarding proper waste sorting, a sustainable consumption simulator that identifies consumer profiles, workshops for creating art from recycled materials, and games. It also features a “mural of excuses” displaying the excuses often given for failing to sort waste correctly. The “Let’s separate the waste” campaign runs until the end of the year.

What is the role of the Portuguese Environment Agency?
The APA—a public institute within the State’s indirect administration—is the entity responsible for implementing environmental policies in Portugal, with competencies covering monitoring, planning and assessment, licensing, and enforcement.

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