APA reveals that over 1.8 million tons of urban waste were generated between June and September 2025. August was the peak month, with more than 480,000 tons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) warns that, contrary to popular belief, summer is the time of year when Portugal generates the most urban waste. Between June and September 2025, the country produced over 1.8 million tons of urban waste. In August alone\u2014the peak month\u2014production exceeded 480,000 tons, according to data released by APA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This warning marks the launch of a new phase of the “Let\u2019s separate the waste” campaign, dedicated to raising awareness about proper waste sorting during the holiday season. APA highlights July and August as the critical months due to increased social gatherings, travel, dining out, vacations, and the concentration of people in tourist areas. The agency maintains that waste sorting should not be interrupted during this period. “During this seasonal period when families and friends gather\u2014whether at home or while out and about\u2014proper waste sorting must not be interrupted, in order to reduce environmental impact,” APA notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The campaign will tour six cities across the country using a mobile truck in a “roadshow” format, featuring communication, awareness-raising, and information activities aimed at local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“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 trash doesn’t take a break or rest during the summer,” states Jos\u00e9 Pimenta Machado, APA’s president. According to the agency head, the campaign aims to engage communities “in a problem that belongs to everyone, from the Algarve to the Minho.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sustainable roadshow trailer features a waste-sorting quiz, a sustainable consumption simulator, workshops for creating art from recycled materials, family-friendly games, and other activities. The initiative will also include an \u201cexcuses wall\u201d to gather common reasons people give for not sorting their waste correctly. Through this activity, APA aims to challenge citizens to make fewer excuses and recycle more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The roadshow kicks off in Coimbra at Pra\u00e7a da Rep\u00fablica from June 19 to 21. It then moves to Aveiro (June 26\u201328), Braga (July 3\u20135), Castelo Branco (July 10\u201312), \u00c9vora (July 17\u201319), and Portim\u00e3o (July 24\u201326). In each city, the event runs on Fridays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The “Let\u2019s separate the waste” campaign runs until the end of 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n