The UWR for 2023 shows that UW production remained “practically unchanged” compared to 2022, when it was 0.24% more than in 2021.

According to the report, the production of urban waste in Portugal corresponds to 505 kilos per inhabitant per year, or 1.4 kilos per inhabitant per day.

In mainland Portugal, 5.064 million tonnes of waste were produced, while the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira produced 149 and 124 tonnes, respectively.

In terms of final destination, 59% of the waste produced in mainland Portugal was landfilled, while 12% was sent for energy recovery.

If mainland Portugal, the Azores and Madeira are considered, 57% of the waste produced was landfilled.

In 2023, there was a slight increase in the disposal of waste in landfills, contrary to the decrease seen in 2021.

“The disposal of waste to landfill continues to represent a very significant percentage compared to its production, with an increase of 2 p.p. [percentage points] in mainland Portugal compared to the previous year, which was essentially due to the shutdown of the Valorsul energy recovery facility for an extended period”, he states.

Regarding the selective collection of bio-waste, the report records “an increase in the number of municipalities that carry out a selective collection of this waste fraction (144 and 168 municipalities, in 2022 and 2023, respectively), reaching around 60% of municipalities on the mainland”.

According to RARU, this increase is an indicator that implementation on the ground is progressing, although the quantities are still low – 33,230 tons of bio-waste collected selectively in 2023, 19% more than in the previous year.

“Regarding multi-material selective collection, the recovery values ​​obtained remain low compared to the material actually available for recycling, with plastic waste standing out, where the recovery rate of the material (packaging and non-packaging) is around 23% compared to what is available”, it adds.

RARU 2023 systematizes data and information on the prevention and management of urban waste under the responsibility of municipalities and Urban Waste Management Systems (SGRU).