Total selective collection increases and undifferentiated collection decreases
EGF, the company responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste from 174 municipalities in mainland Portugal and 60% of the population, recorded a 5% increase in total selective collection in 2023, which includes packaging, wood, bio-waste and bulky waste.
The selective collection of paper and cardboard in the blue ecopoint increased by 1.3% and that of plastic and metal in the yellow ecopoint increased by 3.3%, reflecting EGF's continuous investment in increasing the collection capacity of its concessionaires, through ecopoints, door-to-door home collection and collection in companies. The selective collection of glass runs counter to the growth trend, a fact that is still being studied, indicating a change in consumption habits that could justify the -2.4% of glass packaging collected in 2023.
There was also a decrease of -1.3% in the reception of undifferentiated waste - still a negligible reduction in relation to waste prevention objectives, but already illustrating a downward trend.
Collection of bio-waste increased by 24%
The selective collection of bio-waste registered a significant increase of 24%, although it should be noted that this collection is at an early stage throughout the country. These figures correspond to 100 of the 174 municipalities in the area of intervention of EGF's concessionaires that delivered green or food waste for recovery, a total of 100,000 tons.
In the context of bio-waste, recovery is organic. It can be recovered in two ways: in the production of energy, through the biogas produced, or through composting.
About EGF
EGF is a leading European company in the environmental sector and a leader in the treatment and recovery of waste in Portugal. As part of the MOTA-ENGIL Group, it is responsible for ensuring the treatment and recovery of waste in the most environmentally correct and economically sustainable way, contributing to improving the quality of life and the environment.
The waste treatment and recovery systems are managed by 11 concession companies (Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor, Valorsul), set up in partnership with the municipalities they serve, which process around 3.3 million tons of municipal waste (MW) every year, serving a population of 6.2 million people spread over 174 municipalities, in an area equivalent to 60% of Portugal's territory.
