The Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) has warned of the urgent need for proper waste sorting during the summer holidays\u2014a time when the bulk of urban waste, totaling nearly two million tons, is generated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To mark the start of summer, APA is touring six districts across the country with an information and awareness drive as part of the “Let\u2019s separate the waste” campaign, which launched earlier this year. The initiative highlights that waste generation peaks during this season, with August being the worst month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year, between June and September, over 1.8 million tons of urban waste were produced; in August alone, Portugal generated more than 480,000 tons, the APA explained in a statement. With July and August being the most critical months, this new phase of the campaign aims to emphasize the need for proper waste sorting\u2014even while on vacation\u2014and to promote responsible behavior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
During this seasonal period, when families and friends gather at home or go on outings, proper waste sorting must not be neglected, in order to reduce environmental impact,” the APA stressed in the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new phase of the “Let\u2019s separate the waste” campaign features a mobile unit that serves as a hub for various initiatives, inviting communities to reflect on the importance of sorting waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Contrary to popular 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.” \u201cWith this initiative, we hope to engage communities in an issue that affects everyone, from the Algarve to the Minho,\u201d stated APA’s president Jos\u00e9 Pimenta Machado, as quoted in the press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tour includes a quiz to test the public’s knowledge of proper waste sorting, a sustainable consumption simulator that identifies consumer profiles, workshops for creating art from recycled materials, and games. It also features an \u201cmural of excuses\u201d displaying the reasons frequently given for not sorting waste correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u201cLet\u2019s separate the waste” campaign runs until the end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n