The Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) issued a warning this Monday regarding the urgent need for proper waste sorting during the summer holidays\u2014a time when the highest volume of municipal waste is generated, totaling nearly two million tons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To mark the start of summer, the APA is taking its “Let\u2019s separate the waste” awareness campaign\u2014launched earlier this year\u2014on a tour of six districts. The initiative aims to inform and raise awareness, highlighting 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 municipal waste were produced; August alone accounted for more than 480,000 tons, the APA noted in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With July and August being the most critical months, this new phase of the campaign seeks to highlight 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\u2014whether at home or while out and about\u2014proper waste sorting should not be abandoned; maintaining this practice helps reduce environmental impact,” the APA emphasized in its statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new phase of the “Let\u2019s separate the waste” campaign features a traveling truck that serves as a base for initiatives inviting communities to reflect on the importance of waste sorting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Contrary to popular belief, summer is consistently the period of highest waste generation in Portugal. This trend is expected to continue this year. However, it is important to stress that trash doesn’t take a break or rest during the summer. Through this initiative, we hope to engage communities in addressing a problem that affects everyone, from the Algarve to the Minho region,” said APA’s president Jos\u00e9 Pimenta Machado, as quoted in the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The roadshow features a quiz on public knowledge regarding proper waste separation, a sustainable consumption simulator that identifies consumer profiles, workshops for creating art from recycled materials, and games. It also includes a “mural of excuses” displaying the reasons often given for failing to separate waste correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The “Let\u2019s separate the waste” campaign runs until the end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The APA\u2014a public institute within the State’s indirect administration\u2014is the entity responsible for implementing environmental policies in Portugal, with a remit covering monitoring, planning and evaluation, licensing, and enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n