The municipality has maintained steady growth since the service was introduced in November 2023.

The municipality of Alter do Chão, part of the Urban Waste Management System run by Valnor, a company of the EGF Group, has been consolidating the selective collection of bio-waste as a fundamental pillar of its sustainable waste management strategy, recording consistent growth since the service was first implemented in November 2023, and has already become a national benchmark.
In the first year, the monthly average stood at 4 tonnes of bio-waste collected. In 2024, this figure rose to an average of 19 tonnes per month, climbing to 26 tonnes in 2025 and reaching, by 2026, an average of 27 tonnes per month, representing a 42% increase over two years.
In total, 226 tonnes were collected in 2024 and 308 tonnes in 2025. In the first two months of 2026 alone, 54 tonnes of bio-waste were collected, subsequently sent to Valnor’s organic waste treatment and recovery facility in Avis, where it is transformed into compost for agricultural use.
“The introduction of bio-waste collection was an important step towards a cleaner and more sustainable municipality,” emphasised Francisco Miranda, Mayor of Alter do Chão.
“The results achieved show that when the local authority, the public, the collection service and the management system work together, it is possible to change habits and achieve very significant environmental benefits. Every tonne collected and recycled represents a direct contribution to the circular economy and to more sustainable waste management in the region,” said Nuno Heitor, Chief Executive of Valnor.
The collection service, contracted by the municipality to the company SUMA, covers the entire municipality, comprising four parishes, and is provided on a door-to-door basis, promoting separation at source and the subsequent recovery of organic waste. In the domestic sector, the operation includes the collection of the bio-waste bag placed inside the green bin and the provision of a new bag, encouraging responsible practices and greater participation by the population.
The bins are provided by Alter do Chão Municipal Council, with solutions tailored to different users: 7-litre bins for domestic users and 120- or 240-litre bins for non-domestic users, ensuring operational efficiency and suitability for local needs.
The operation is carried out by a dedicated team, consisting of one worker and a 3,500 kg vehicle equipped with a lifting platform, enabling safe, regular and efficient collection. Collection takes place three times a week in each parish, ensuring high standards of service throughout the municipality.