Organic waste makes up the majority of the waste produced by the population, with a high potential for valorisation, both in the production of energy and organic correctives that can be used in agriculture.

This waste is already collected selectively in various areas of the country, with this collection having started in Lisbon in 2005, with the implementation of the Mais Valor (More Value) Programme, initiated by Valorsul - EGF's concessionaire for the Lisbon (North) region.

To treat organic waste, EGF operates 16 organic recovery plants in Portugal, which vary between mechanical and biological treatment plants, composting plants and anaerobic digestion plants.

The mechanical and biological treatment plants separate packaging and contaminants from ordinary rubbish collection, while the organic recovery centres also separate packaging and contaminants that may be in bio-waste, ensuring that packaging is sent for recycling, that organic correctives are produced for agriculture, and that energy is produced when the waste is anaerobically digested.