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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