Professional Football Week is once again an Ecoevent where good environmental practices will be promoted

For the second season running, EGF and the Football Foundation - Liga Portugal are turning the Allianz CUP Final Four into an Ecoevent, which is taking place in Leiria until 27 January.

More than just three football matches where the new Winter Champion will be crowned, the Final Four is also a week full of entertainment and activities that promise to bring a very special colour to the city of Lis and involve the entire local community, while at the same time being an Ecoevent.

During this week, there will be many environmental awareness activities promoted by EGF and Valorlis, which is responsible for containerisation in the Fan Zone area, which will be available to the whole community at the Football Foundation - Liga Portugal stand in this same space, located right in the heart of Leiria.

On match days, the Estádio Municipal de Leiria - Dr. Magalhães Pessoa will be reinforced with recycling containers, so that every football spectacle has a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, as is the Football Foundation's prerogative.

It should also be noted that on 26 January, students from the Domingos Sequeira Secondary School will create an art installation using recycled materials collected over the course of these days, next to the Leiria Municipal Stadium. This same installation will then be exhibited on the day most awaited by all: the grand final, on 27 January.In the Recycle Bingo app, EGF's game that encourages and rewards good environmental practices, a special and exclusive mission will be available to all users throughout this week dedicated to Professional Football.

This Eco-event takes place within the scope of the cooperation protocol for Sustainability between EGF and the Football Foundation, which provides for the joint organisation and promotion of events and initiatives related to the respective areas of activity.

All the ingredients are therefore in place for this to be a great celebration of professional football, with full respect for its environmental commitments!

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 that waste is treated and recovered in the most environmentally correct and economically sustainable way, helping to improve 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 tonnes of municipal waste (MW) every year, serving a population of 6.3 million people spread over 174 municipalities, in an area equivalent to 60% of Portugal's territory.

About VALORLIS

VALORLIS is the company that manages the selective collection and treatment of municipal waste in the municipalities of Batalha, Leiria, Marinha Grande, Ourém, Pombal and Porto de Mós and continues to raise awareness among the community in order to guarantee the proper functioning of the region's municipal waste management system.

About the Football Foundation - Liga Portugal:

The Football Foundation aims to use the notoriety of Football, its players and professional competitions in favour of Social Responsibility and the promotion of Ecological Sustainability, for a positive and tolerant Football with a view to a more inclusive and equitable society.

All of this as a national and international reference organisation in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility and Professional Football, developing actions that create value for Civil Society through the values of Football.

Valorsul, MEO Kalorama and CML establish a partnership in the field of environmental sustainability, transforming the music festival into one of the largest EcoEvents in the country

Valorsul, the company responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste in the Lisbon area and the Western Region, is, for the second year running, one of MEO Kalorama's partners in the area of sustainability, which is one of the pillars of the summer festival taking place from 31 August to 2 September at Parque da Belavista in Lisbon.

Valorsul will be present during the three days of the event with awareness-raising teams, who will travel around the site with the aim of making festival-goers and commercial establishments aware of the new cycle that packaging can gain by being placed in the correct containers, which will be strategically available for the separation of the 5 streams (undifferentiated, paper/cardboard, plastic/metal, glass and bio-waste) with the support of Lisbon City Council (CML).

Valorsul intends to raise awareness of environmental sustainability and the new life that can be given to waste, thus seeking to fulfil the purpose of making this festival as sustainable as possible and promoting active citizenship among young people in the field of sustainable development and in building a more efficient society in the use of its resources.

Out of the box, into the recycling bin" action

Also in close partnership with CML, Valorsul and MEO Kalorama are launching an innovative initiative at this edition of the festival - "Out of the box, into the recycling bin" - which combines the three pillars of the event around music, art and sustainability. Over the three days of the festival, 30 end-of-life containers will be decorated live and then offered to the Flamenga Neighbourhood Community Group in Marvila, which will distribute them to various local organisations. Pitanga is the artist invited to the first edition of this initiative, since many of her works already reflect her concern with reconciling illustration and urban art with environmental issues and reflections on sustainability, using recycled materials and less polluting paints.

Ângelo Pereira, the councillor responsible for urban hygiene at Lisbon City Council, said: "The municipality is always available to support actions that promote sustainability and recycling. In addition to the 30 containers that will be decorated and given to the Flamenga Neighbourhood Community Group, the Municipality will provide 1,000 containers and three compactors, as well as collecting waste during the three days of the festival and cleaning up the grounds at the end of the event. To do this, we will have circuits and teams allocated to MEO Kalorama, as we did last year. Lisbon City Council is committed to reducing its environmental impact and promoting a more environmentally friendly culture. As always, we call on everyone to adopt sustainable practices, namely waste separation."

With regard to the match money offered by Valorsul for the recyclable material collected at the festival, it will be given to the Jorge Pina Association, thus contributing to the purchase of a community transport van.

"Music festivals, such as MEO Kalorama, are the ideal stage for us to pass on the message of sustainability and recycling to an audience that is increasingly attentive and dedicated to these themes, but also to social causes, art and culture. This partnership and cooperation with the festival organisers and CML makes perfect sense so that together we can go further with the aim of increasing the recycling rate and making our planet more sustainable and liveable for everyone," says Susana Silva, Valorsul's Communications and Awareness Director.

"Since the first edition, MEO Kalorama has achieved results that we are very proud of. In 2022 we managed to end the event with zero waste in landfill and a recycling rate of more than 60 per cent, in which the undifferentiated waste was also used to generate energy. These results were only possible in partnership - Valorsul played a very important role, from raising awareness among venue operators to offering waste treatment. Being an 'EcoEvento' is also a source of pride and shows that we are on the right track,Dora Palma, MEO Kalorama's Sustainability Director, also emphasises. 

About Valorsul

Valorsul is responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste from 19 municipalities in the Lisbon area and the West region: Alcobaça, Alenquer, Amadora, Arruda dos Vinhos, Azambuja, Bombarral, Cadaval, Caldas da Rainha, Lisboa, Loures, Lourinhã, Nazaré, Óbidos, Odivelas, Peniche, Rio Maior, Sobral de Monte Agraço, Torres Vedras, Vila Franca de Xira. Valorsul valorises 15% of all household waste produced in Portugal, serving 1.6 million inhabitants. Valorsul produces and exports 2 per cent of national household consumption to the electricity grid.

Valorsul received, from 1 to 8 August, 81 tonnes more of plastic and metal packaging compared to the same period last year. Undifferentiated maintains values.

Valorsul, the company responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste in the Lisbon area and the Western Region, and one of the partners of World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023 for the Sustainability area, registered a significant increase of 16% in the reception of plastic and metal packaging, from 1 to 8 August, compared to the same period last year, in the five municipalities of Greater Lisbon (Lisbon, Loures, Odivelas, Amadora and Vila Franca de Xira). Regarding the reception of undifferentiated urban waste, the values remained practically unchanged.

When analysed, only the municipalities of Lisbon and Loures, stage of the major events of WYD with the largest influx of pilgrims, there was an increase of 22% in the reception of recyclable material from the yellow ecopoint (plastic and metal) in the six days of the journey and also on 7 and 8 August (dedicated to the cleaning of Campo da Graça / Parque Tejo), compared to the same period of the previous year. Likewise, there was no variation in the reception of undifferentiated urban waste at Valorsul's Energy Recovery Plant.

These results were only possible thanks to the prior cooperation between various entities, namely the municipalities of Lisbon and Loures and the WYD Organising Committee, in the management and containment of waste production, as well as in raising awareness for the correct separation of waste and reinforcing containerisation in all venues where events were taking place, thus demonstrating the commitment and commitment to making this the most sustainable WYD ever.

Good environmental practices and incentives for recycling:

Quim Barreiros stars in EGF campaign

"With Quim Let´s Recycle"

Portuguese artist Quim Barreiros is the protagonist of EGF's campaign "With Quim, Let´s Recycle ".

Inspired by Quim Barreiros' new song "Lixo Zero", EGF developed a communication campaign around this universe, which promotes good environmental practices and encourages recycling.

The campaign "With Quim Let’s Recycle" will be available on the institutional website and social networks of EGF and its 11 concessionaires, from North to South of the country, as well as in the Recycle Bingo application, highlighting the song "Lixo Zero" that promotes good environmental behaviours. In the application, citizens will find Quim Barreiros as a new character and master of recycling, and a wise man who is called "Lixo Zero" and with whom users will be able to play in augmented reality.

Seeking to comprehensively reach various audiences through music, the campaign "With Quim Let’s Recycle" aims to alert to the need to implement good environmental practices in everyday life, challenging citizens to recycle always and everywhere.

Listen to the song "Lixo Zero" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKGKLx-ZTcw

Recycling Line - New Timetable

From 1 August, the Recycling Line has new opening hours.

The customer service will now operate from Monday to Friday, from 9.00 to 19.00.

On the other side of the line you will find experienced operators who will help you with all the questions and queries you need help with that relate to the waste and resources we manage every day.

The Recycling Line is a PUBLIC, FREE and NATIONAL customer service that was created to provide effective answers to citizens, namely to answer questions, requests for information, suggestions, complaints, compliments and requests for service related to the collection and treatment of urban waste.

This EGF Group service has the following contacts available:

CONTACTS RECYCLING LINE

Freephone: 800 911 400

Email: atendimento@linhadareciclagem.pt

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, between 09h00 and 19h00.

For more information on this initiative, please visit the website www.linhadareciclagem.pt

Mota-Engil Sustainability Report 2022

Under the topic “Paradigm Shift – Actions for a Sustainable Future” Mota Engil published the 2022 Sustainability Report, a publication to which EGF and the various Concessionaires contributed with specific information on their activity.

In this publication it is possible to find specific Environmental, Social and Economic information on the waste treatment and recovery activity, among other useful information on the various sectors in which Mota-Engil Group operates.

For more information and download: 

Mota-Engil Sustainability Report 2022

GRI Table

Vídeo 

"A Good Action Changes the World" is the motto of the campaign that calls for sustainable practices during the week of World Youth Day.

Valorsul, the company responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste in the 19 municipalities of the Lisbon area and the Western Region, which serves 1.6 million inhabitants, has just launched a new institutional campaign in the context of World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023, with the aim of raising pilgrims' awareness of waste reduction, reuse and recycling, seeking to minimise the ecological impact of their presence in Lisbon through the adoption of sustainable practices.

"A good deed changes the world. Practise yours! Recycle!" is the motto of the new campaign, which starts today and combines an intervention on the façade of Valorsul, with digital dynamics that highlight the commitment to Sustainability, making the values of the company and WYD coincide in a unique way.

With this campaign, the company wants to go even further and extend the good deeds to everyone, to individual and group behaviour, in relation to waste production and disposal practices, through volunteers who will be present in Belém and Parque Tejo, from 1 to 6 August, focusing on raising awareness among pilgrims so that everyone contributes with small gestures.

"Valorsul is one of WYD's partners in the area of sustainability, so we are committed to promoting initiatives that leave a lasting legacy on all those who participate in this journey and that reflect our common values, so that together we can build the most sustainable WYD ever", emphasises Susana Silva, Director of Communication and Awareness Raising at Valorsul. "We also wanted to value employees and their good deeds, as a way of recognising the important role that our people play every day in favour of a better future."

The campaign has as its protagonists Valorsul's workers, who practice good deeds every day, whether in the collection, separation or valorisation of the waste that arrives daily at the facilities, and who will assume an even more fundamental role in the week of WYD, due to the increase in the production of packaging and waste expected during this period.

Resiestrela celebrates 15 years.

These are 15 years that represent years of hard work, a lot of dedication from all Resiestrela employees and that is why we marked this day to celebrate our success and all the achievements that have been achieved, because we believe that our work is an essential service for the well-being and quality of life of 184. 457 inhabitants, spread over the municipalities of Almeida, Belmonte, Celorico da Beira, Covilhã, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Fornos de Algodres, Fundão, Guarda, Manteigas, Meda, Penamacor, Pinhel Sabugal and Trancoso.

All our achievements are due to each and every one of the employees who daily wear the company shirt and who dedicate hours and hours of your lives to ensure that all the waste received is valorised and sent for recycling.

The success of our company is proof of the competence of the entire team, harmony, unity of effort and fulfilment of objectives.

Resiestrela is a dynamic and growing company. It is a young company. It has a staff of young but experienced employees, who daily ensure with dedication the treatment and valorisation of waste.

Regardless of its youth, Resiestrela has the management experience of the EGF S.A. group, a company with a structuring, dynamising and innovative role in the solid waste recovery and treatment sector in Portugal. Together we will make Resiestrela a business reference in Cova da Beira and Beira Interior Norte, contributing effectively to the sustainable development and improvement of economic conditions and quality of life in our region.

With a strong sense of responsibility and mission, we will continue to assume our commitment to manage the Cova da Beira Multimunicipal System for Sorting, Selective Collection, Recovery and Treatment of Municipal Solid Waste, adopting appropriate solutions for the treatment and recovery of municipal solid waste, contributing to the sustainable development of the region, enhancing people's quality of life, ensuring that the waste produced is used as resources or sent to the most appropriate destination, which will allow, in a future that we are building, to guarantee an improvement in the quality of life for the populations to come.

Nuno Heitor, managing director of Resiestrela, says "we celebrate our 15 years of work, thanking the dedication of the entire Resiestrela team, all families who separate recyclable waste, the Presidents and technicians of the 14 municipalities, all educational establishments, institutions, associations, IPSS, commercial establishments, companies and services that place packaging in ecopoints and all customers of the door-to-door collection service, as they are an example of citizenship, dedicating themselves to an environmental cause with enthusiasm for a greater good.

The future of our planet and the future of generations to come".

The first edition of the Valorminho/Resulima Conversations took place on 14 July, where different topics were addressed, such as sustainability, PERSU 2030 and internal and external communication.

This meeting was attended by Valorminho/Resulima's Board of Directors and was an important moment of learning, sharing and strengthening the bonds that unite Valorminho and Resulima's professionals.

We count on everyone's commitment and joy in building an increasingly strong Valorminho and Resulima, which guarantee the valorisation of waste in the most sustainable way, ensuring demanding environmental standards, exemplary social practices and value creation.

The Water&Environment 2023 Conferences (Conferências Água&Ambiente 2023) are supported by EGF and are being held in Santa Maria da Feira on 27 and 28 June.

It was the Biodegradable Waste Conference that yesterday kicked off these interventions that also include the Recycling and Recovery Conference today, the 28th.

Panel II - "Monitoring and Transparency" was composed by Maria José Sebastião - Responsible for the Organic Valorization Area, from Amarsul, and Sérgio Lopes, Production Coordinator of the Treatment and Organic Valorization Station, from Valorsul, who made their interventions under the theme "Organic Valorization and its Traceability", in which they approached the key points: the importance of monitoring the installations and demonstrating the results; good practices for efficient processes; the operation of the installations to obtain a quality compost.

Miguel Nunes, Head of Algar's Technical Area and R&D, was part of Panel III - "Quality Product" and his participation was subordinated to the "Commercialization of Organic Correctives", through the key points: restrictions and limitations to the application of compost on the soil and the commercialization of compost: the experience of those who do it - difficulties and opportunities.

The topic of Biodegradable Waste dominates the debate on waste given the obligation of its selective collection and circularity. EGF is available to collaborate with municipalities and to contribute to the process of treatment and recovery of this waste in order to overcome this challenge.

On this second day of the Water & Environment 2023 Conferences, the Recycling&Recovery Conference brought to the agenda the challenges and opportunities of the recycling industry and its contribution to achieving the recycling targets.

In this context, José Coelho, Executive Director of Suldouro, participated as a speaker in Panel II - "Community Recycling Targets - The recycling industry's vision" and his intervention identified opportunities and key points in the theme "The role of Municipal Waste Management Systems in reuse and recycling".

At the same time, several specialists were also part of Panel IV, addressing issues relevant to this debate, whose programme can be consulted here.

The aim is to debate recycling in Portugal and, to this end, to listen to management entities and recyclers, municipalities, operators and recyclers. EGF intends to contribute to this objective and to achieving the demanding recycling targets, and therefore continues to join and promote initiatives that allow it.

EGF annually promotes five environmental campaigns that focus on diversifying environmental education and communication among various audiences.

The campaigns -Ecovalor, Toneladas de Ajuda, EcoEventos, EcoPraias e Mercado a Reciclar - allow us to reach various audiences and challenge citizens to recycle everything, always and everywhere. In all of them, it is possible to quantify the packages recycled and measure results, and in the case of the Tons of Help and Ecovalor campaigns there is also a very significant social support component.

In the total of the five campaigns, which covered the whole of mainland Portugal, 9,200 tonnes of packaging were collected in 2022. 2,484 tonnes of plastic and metal, equivalent to 50 Airbus 320 aeroplanes; 1,272 tonnes of glass, enough to manufacture 334,737 new 0.75l bottles; 5,465 tonnes of paper and cardboard, equivalent to 81,975 trees.

PROGRAMA ECOVALOR 2021/2022 

The Ecovalor Programme was designed with the school community in mind. It develops awareness-raising actions, study visits to EGF concessionaires and promotes the contest "Separa e Ganha", which mobilises school communities to separate packaging.

Each participating school receives a monetary prize according to its good performance in packaging collection. EGF, through its eleven concessionaires, awarded a global value of 178,131 euros in prizes in 2022. Each prize was used according to the needs of each school unit - acquisition of equipment for the Physical Education class, interactive whiteboards, teaching materials, small works, for example.

In the "Separate and Win" competition, 1,029 schools from Kindergarten to Secondary School participated last school year. Together, they managed to collect 3,520 tonnes of materials for recycling: 1,876 of cardboard and paper, 526 of glass and 1,118 of plastic and metal.

TONELADAS DE AJUDA 2022

The campaign Tons of Help allies the environmental and social causes and is aimed at Private Institutions of Social Solidarity (IPSS). The recyclable material delivered by each institution is equivalent to a monetary amount that is later reverted to social aid. The campaign also establishes a partnership with some Food Banks.

In 2022, 267 IPSS participated in the initiative and managed to collect for recycling 4,279 tons of materials: 3,172 tons of paper and cardboard, 103 of glass and 1,004 tons of plastic and metal that were converted into 516,387€ donated by EGF concessionaires for social aid.

ECOEVENTOS 2022

The Ecoeventos campaign is aimed at entities that organise cultural, sporting or recreational events and make a commitment to properly manage waste during them. The commitment to good environmental practices, linked to the reduction and reuse of waste, is also a feature of Ecoeventos.

Each concessionaire helps, locally, the registered event with the logistics of material collection, selective collection, seeks to raise awareness among the organisers, provides informative material and signage for waste disposal as well as ensuring its communication to the event public.

In 2022, 248 events participated and 646 tonnes of waste were collected for recycling.

ECOPRAIAS 2022

Ecopraias is the campaign that aims to raise awareness among beachgoers of the need to use the ecopoints scattered along the beaches, avoiding the dumping of rubbish on the coast and sea pollution. Teams of monitors walk along the beaches and provide beachgoers with bags to separate rubbish on the beach.

In 2022, 46 beaches from 10 municipalities participated and, in total, 463 tonnes of material for recycling were deposited in the recycling bins, corresponding to 158 tonnes of paper and cardboard, 244 tonnes of glass, 61 tonnes of plastic and metal. The collection of this packaging took place during the whole bathing season 2022.

MERCADO A RECICLAR 2022

Targeted at Fairs and Markets, the Mercado a Reciclar campaign seeks to raise public awareness of the importance of correct disposal in places where large quantities of recyclable waste are usually produced. The creation of conditions for the correct disposal of waste involves the provision of ecobags, bags and awareness-raising actions among traders. Actions in markets and fairs are carried out in conjunction with the Municipalities or Parish Councils.

In 2022, 25 markets were covered and 145 tonnes of material for recycling were collected.

About EGF:

EGF is a European reference company in the environmental sector and leader in waste treatment and recovery in Portugal. Integrated in 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 the improvement of the quality of life and of the environment.

Waste treatment and recovery systems are managed by 11 concessionary companies (Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor, Valorsul), set up in partnership with the municipalities served, which process around 3.3 million tons of municipal waste (RU) annually, serving a population of 6.3 million people spread over 174 municipalities, in an area equivalent to 60% of Portugal.

More information at https://www.egf.pt/en/

Information: Ana Loureiro |Mobile: 968601711 | E-mail: ana.loureiro@egf.pt

The Board of Directors, in which national members are represented by Ana Loureiro, on behalf of APESB and with EGF's support, met in Portugal this week and discussed the future of the association and its participation in upcoming global events. ISWA is the voice of the waste and resource management sector in the various strategic discussion forums worldwide, regarding climate change, sustainability or resource management on the planet.

The first day was reserved for a meeting with ERSAR, an initiative that was also attended by elements of APESB. This meeting was an opportunity to share technical knowledge, to discuss innovative and sustainable solutions in urban waste management, with the aim of understanding what the role and strategy of regulation can be to enhance greater efficiency of the managing entities.

Also this week, EGF received a delegation from ISWA's Working Group on Communication, who were in Portugal with the aim of studying and debating the most recent trends in waste management.

Between 22 and 23 May, this working group had the opportunity to meet and make thematic visits. They visited two Valorsul facilities: the Energy Recovery Plant and the Sorting Centre, in Lumiar. They passed by the place where the World Youth Day 2023 will take place, where the entire space is being reconverted for this purpose with strict sustainability criteria; and they got to know the Environmental Education Centre of Loures City Hall, located in the Urban Park of Santa Iria de Azóia, a former landfill and the first one in the country. The visit to the Recycling Line, a service provided by the EGF Group, allowed them to get to know this innovative project of a free, national public service.

To mark Recycling Day, which falls today, and to contribute to greater environmental awareness among the population, EGF is presenting Virtual Visits to its different municipal waste treatment and recovery units, available online on the website of EGF and its 11 concessionaires.

With the aim of alerting citizens to their role as resource managers, the Virtual Visits to EGF's units are intended to share experience in the different processes, highlighting the waste treatment process, from the moment the waste is collected to its transformation.

Throughout the Virtual Tours it is possible to learn about the entire waste treatment and recovery process, from collection from the street or door-to-door recycling points, to its treatment in the different units and, subsequently, its sorting, recycling and transformation into new products, promoting the circular economy.

Available with voiceovers in Portuguese and English, the Virtual Tours show many areas of the facilities filmed in 360º and allow you to travel through five different waste treatment plants, namely: sorting centres, organic valorisation and mechanical and biological treatment plants, Valorsul energy valorisation plant and landfills.

With this initiative, EGF reinforces its environmental education mission, shows what happens to Portuguese people's waste and promotes the adoption of appropriate environmental behaviours of prevention, reuse and recycling.

The Virtual Tours are available on the EGF and eleven concessionaires' websites, through the link.

About EGF

EGF is a European company of reference in the environmental sector and a leader in the treatment and recovery of waste in Portugal. It is part of the MOTA-ENGIL Group and is responsible for ensuring the treatment and recovery of waste in the most environmentally correct and economically sustainable manner, contributing to the improvement of the quality of life and of the environment.

Waste treatment and recovery systems are managed by 11 concessionary companies (Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor, Valorsul), set up in partnership with the municipalities served, which process around 3.3 million tons of municipal waste (RU) annually, serving a population of 6.2 million people spread over 174 municipalities, in an area equivalent to 60% of Portugal.

More information at https://www.egf.pt/

Information: Ana Loureiro |Mobile: 968601711 | E-mail: ana.loureiro@egf.pt

Companies Organize Conference on Carbon Use in Energy Recovery Plants and Paths to Reach Paris Agreement Goals

Valorsul and Lipor have organised a conference to debate with leading international specialists the problem of Carbon Capture, Storage and Use generated in the Energy Recovery Plants, with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

The debate took place today in Lisbon and was attended by the Minister of the Environment and Climate Action, Duarte Cordeiro. The session was also attended by José Manuel Ribeiro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lipor, Marta Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Valorsul, and Nuno Lacasta, Chairman of the Board of the Portuguese Environment Agency.

The Paris Agreement, signed at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015, established the commitment to move towards carbon neutrality by 2050, with the aim of halting climate change and preventing harmful consequences for the planet. Under debate were the paths, solutions and commitments to be put into practice by organisations and states in the coming years.

Valorsul has been a pioneer in the use of heavy vehicles for the transport of waste powered by natural gas, as well as in the valorisation of the selective flow of bio-waste, which has gained increasing prominence at an environmental level due to the fact that it contributes largely to the reduction of CO2 equivalent emissions. It also continues to work on the transition from the current waste value chain to a resource value chain, maximising the reintroduction of materials into the economy, and to seek low carbon solutions for the company's future treatment plants and collection and transport systems.

According to Marta Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Valorsul, "It is of the utmost urgency that we think about how we are all going to work together in this sector to achieve these important goals of the Paris Agreement, which should be a common concern of private organisations, public bodies and citizens. The goals we have to achieve are already part of Valorsul's strategy. The paths, those yes, are the ones we are discussing today at a high technical level."

At Lipor, there is a clear objective of decarbonisation of the operational activities of Recovery of Municipal Waste produced in the Greater Porto region.

Apart from other initiatives and projects underway, the issue of capturing the CO2 produced at Maia's Energy Recovery Plant is essential for the significant reduction of LIPOR's carbon footprint, besides representing an important asset that will enable the development of a Project for the production of ecological synthetic fuels.

According to José Manuel Ribeiro, Chairman of LIPOR's Board of Directors, "in what the transformation of LIPOR's current business model means, our search for partnerships to develop high added-value products is a reality that is no stranger to highly complex projects, but of very high environmental and even economic value, such as the production of ecological fuels for the aviation sector".

The conference was attended by:

- Fabio Poretti, Technical & Scientific O_cer, CEWEP - Confederation of European Waste to Energy Plants

- Johnny Stuen, CCUS, Hydrogen, WtE/EfW and biogas - project development and Execution

- Rahul Anantharaman, Sintef / TNO - Norwegian Research Institute

- Alicia Mansour, Strategy & Innovation Veolia, Portugal

- Christoph Weber, P2X (H&R Gruppe + Mabanaft), Hamburg

- Pedro Guedes Campos, Smartenergy Portugal

- Pedro Furtado, REN - Redes Energéticas Nacionais

- Lídia Pereira, Member of the European Parliament

- Mark Preston Aragonès, Bellona-Europa | The EU taxonomy and CCSU projects

- Assunção Cristas, Vieira de Almeida/Nova School of Law | Financing CCSU

- Sofia Santos, Systemic

- Kim Brinck, Ramboll

- Sónia Montón Subías, Technip Energies, Norway

General Info

About LIPOR:

LIPOR is the entity responsible for the management, recovery and treatment of municipal waste produced by the associated Municipalities: Espinho, Gondomar, Maia, Matosinhos, Porto, Póvoa de Varzim, Valongo and Vila do Conde.

Every year, LIPOR treats around 500,000 tons of municipal waste produced by 1 million inhabitants. Based on modern Urban Waste Management concepts, LIPOR has developed an integrated strategy for the recovery, treatment and containment of Urban Waste, based on three main components: Multimaterial Recovery, Organic Recovery and Energy Recovery, complemented by a Landfill to receive rejects and previously prepared waste.

By clearly assuming that waste management is carried out from a resource perspective, LIPOR makes every effort towards its most appropriate recovery, an approach based on the projection of a circular business model and supported by projects that demonstrate circular support practices. The Organisation's action allows the consolidation of a positioning that is based on the creation of value in the production cycle, characterised by the reintroduction of "waste" as a "resource" in the value chain.

At a national level, LIPOR intends to be a promoter of the Circular Economy theme, by sharing new strategies and searching for more effective solutions.

About Valorsul:

Valorsul is responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste from 19 municipalities in the Lisbon area and Western region: Alcobaça, Alenquer, Amadora, Arruda dos Vinhos, Azambuja, Bombarral, Cadaval, Caldas da Rainha, Lisbon, Loures, Lourinhã, Nazaré, Óbidos, Odivelas, Peniche, Rio Maior, Sobral de Monte Agraço, Torres Vedras, Vila Franca de Xira. Valorsul recovers 15% of all household waste produced in Portugal, serving 1.6 million inhabitants. Valorsul produces and exports to the electrical network 2% of national domestic consumption.

Press contacts

Valorsul:

Susana Silva - Communication and Awareness - Valorsul, SA

Tel. 219535900 Mobile: 961021722 E-mail: susana.silva@valorsul.pt

10 thousand euros prize distinguishes the "Separa e Ganha" initiative

Algar is the winner of the first edition of the competition launched by Electrão, in 2022, to distinguish awareness, communication and education initiatives developed by Municipal Waste Management Systems (SGRU) in order to encourage the separation and correct routing of batteries and used electrical equipment for recycling.

The prize, worth 10 thousand euros, was awarded to Algar for the dynamization of the campaign "Separa e Ganha", which consists in a competition between schools, promoting recycling in the Algarve region.

The aim of the prize launched by Electrão is to promote closer collaboration with the Municipal Waste Management Systems, which are crucial to the success of collection and recycling, given their proximity to citizens.

The award aims to distinguish innovative campaigns, developed by SGRU, while promoting the availability of differentiating solutions that enhance waste collection, namely batteries and used electrical equipment.

"The SGRU that integrate the Electrão network are reference partners in the collection of used batteries and electrical equipment. The awareness campaigns, developed taking into account the specificities of each region, can make a difference in environmental education while involving a wider community. The work developed by Algar in schools is an example of this and the results are there to see", congratulates the General Director of Electrão, Ricardo Furtado.

Algar's "Separa e Ganha" campaign was launched in the 2012/2013 school year. Over 10 years of raising awareness of more than 188,000 students from various schools and promoting good practices, it enabled the collection of more than 84 tonnes of batteries and used electrical equipment.

In the 2022/2023 school year, the campaign reached 137 schools registered, reaching more than 46 thousand students. In partnership with Escola Electrão, this system collected, in 2022, more than 23 tonnes of used batteries and electrical equipment.

Outside the scope of the campaign in the competition, Algar collected 584 tonnes of used batteries and electrical equipment, which were sent for recycling by Electrão, equivalent to 1.3 kilos per inhabitant, which contributed to the national results in these flows.

"Algar, S.A., is the company responsible, in the Algarve, for the recovery and treatment of municipal waste produced in the region, provides an essential public service to citizens and all economic activities that fall under its scope, and it is its duty to raise awareness of all citizens to the adoption of appropriate environmental behaviours regarding the management of their resources and waste and facilitate the entire process of separation of packaging for recycling.

The partnership between Algar and Electrão improved the separation in schools, but also influenced the surrounding community, since the schools, due to the tradition of recycling this flow and the containerization conditions they have, guarantee a better separation and the correct routing for recovery, so that the population identifies these places as points of reception of this waste. The contribution of the resident population in the surroundings of the schools was also fundamental, besides recycling they also helped the schools to achieve the best results for the region," says Telma Robim, Executive Director of Algar.

About ALGAR

Algar - Valorização e Tratamento de Resíduos Sólidos, S.A., is the entity responsible, in the Algarve, for the integrated system of selective collection, transfer, sorting of materials for recycling, energy use of biogas produced in landfills composting of green waste and the treatment of solid urban waste deposited in landfills, produced in the municipalities of Albufeira, Alcoutim, Aljezur, Castro Marim, Faro, Lagoa, Lagos, Loulé, Monchique, Olhão, Portimão, São Brás de Alportel, Silves, Tavira, Vila do Bispo and Vila Real de Santo António. / Algar, as part of its activity, is available to schedule guided tours to its facilities.

For more information, please contact Maria João Carolino | 967758321 | gci@algar.com.pt

About Electrão

Electrão - Waste Management Association is the entity responsible for three of the main waste collection and recycling systems: packaging, batteries and used electrical equipment. It manages a network for the collection of used electrical equipment and batteries with over 9000 collection points throughout the country and is also responsible for packaging recycling throughout the country. Its main mission is to ensure the recycling of the waste collected, contributing to the minimisation of the environmental impact and to the reuse of the materials that constitute them, promoting the circular economy. It develops several communication and awareness campaigns with the aim of promoting greater environmental awareness and behavioural change, of which we highlight the "Quartel Electrão", the "Escola Electrão", the "TransforMAR" and the "Movimento Faz Pelo Planeta By Electrão".

Valnor, the company responsible for the management, recovery and treatment of Solid Urban Waste produced in the municipalities of Abrantes, Alter do Chão, Arronches, Avis, Campo Maior, Castelo Branco, Castelo de Vide, Crato, Elvas, Fronteira, Gavião, Idanha-a-Nova, Mação, Marvão, Monforte, Nisa, Oleiros, Ponte de Sôr, Portalegre, Proença-a-Nova, Sardoal, Sertã, Sousel, Vila de Rei and Vila Velha de Rodão, invests 500. 000, in the reformulation of the Elvas Transfer Station, in order to optimize the transport service of undifferentiated waste.

This investment recommends the replacement of the undifferentiated waste compacting solution, thus allowing the optimisation of the transport of undifferentiated waste from the Elvas Transfer Station, replacing equipment that has been in operation for 20 years with a more efficient solution.

In addition, it foresees the acquisition of three semi-trailers equipped with mobile floor and volume of 90 m3, the acquisition of three hydraulic units to promote the displacement of mobile floors, the construction of three unloading hoppers and civil works for the adaptation of the Transfer Station.

The semi-trailers are an optimisation of the closed container transport solution, making it possible to transport around 24 tonnes per freight instead of closed containers, whose maximum load will be 11 to 12 tonnes.

The upwards transport solution with semi-trailers allows the Elvas Waste Treatment Plant to be immediately reconverted to receive selective collection bio-waste, with one of the semi-trailers included in the present investment proposal being destined for this purpose.

Nuno Heitor, Managing Director of Valnor, pointed out that "This intervention, foreseen in Valnor's Investment Plan, is in line with the company's management strategy, with the new paradigm of waste management that it has been assuming, namely in terms of contributing to compliance with national and community requirements for the sector, and of the sustainability of the System and the Concession in its environmental, social and economic-financial aspects. "

For more information: Marta Alçada | 939598010 | comunicacao@valnor.pt

Amarsul received the visit of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Hugo Polido Pires, to the new Biological Treatment unit in the Palmela Ecopark, currently under construction. This unit represents a significant investment in the region, which now has a treatment capacity for 50 thousand tons of selectively collected biowaste.

The investment in this infrastructure, which is shared by Amarsul and Valorsul, is part of the strategy to comply with the European Recycling Targets, especially to divert organic waste from landfills, improving the service provided to the population of the Setúbal Peninsula.

For Luís Masiello, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amarsul, "It is a great pleasure for us to receive the visit of the Secretary of State Hugo Polido Pires, in our facilities, and to guide him in the Biological Treatment Unit. This unit allows the treatment of 50 thousand tons of bio-waste per year, which we then transform into compost. This was an absolutely necessary investment to move forward in the commitments assumed by the Country. This investment brought us a greater capacity to serve the surrounding municipalities and work to meet the European recycling targets."

The investment in the new infrastructure will be in the order of 17 million euros, co-financed by POSEUR. It is set in an area of 26 500 m2, and is in an advanced stage of construction. It has the capacity to receive 50 thousand tons of organic waste per year, from the selective collection of municipalities, with an estimated production of 8,500 tons of compost per year, to be used as organic correction of agricultural land.

+Info: Susana Silva| Mobile: 961 021 722 | E-mail: comunicacao@amarsul.pt

About Amarsul

Amarsul is responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste from the 9 municipalities of the Setúbal Peninsula: Alcochete, Almada, Barreiro, Moita, Montijo, Palmela, Seixal, Sesimbra and Setúbal.

In 2022, Amarsul treated 461 thousand tons of waste and recovered 46 thousand tons of recyclables in 10 facilities. The company relies on the collaboration of around 400 workers, who daily serve the 800 thousand inhabitants of the peninsula. 

Amarsul also recovers energy from waste, through the extraction of biogas, producing annually about 20 GWh of electricity, which is injected into the National Electricity Grid. It also produced 9,000 tonnes of organic correctives that were applied to tree and shrub crops, namely orchards, olive groves, vineyards and forest species. These soil correctives are obtained through the organic valorisation of the biowaste received, whether from undifferentiated collection or selective collection, under strictly controlled conditions.

The EIB loan will support EGF’s plan to invest €202 million in waste management in Portugal over the period 2022-2024.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a €100 million loan to EGF, the company responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste in 174 municipalities in Portugal and serving 60% of the Portuguese population, to support waste management projects in the country. The loan agreement was ratified in Lisbon today.

The committed financing will make it possible to increase and improve the selective collection of urban waste and the modernisation of triage and organic recycling centres. The agreement is strongly aligned with the EIB goal to support climate action and environmental sustainability, and will contribute to achieving compliance with the national and EU regulations on waste management by promoting a more circular economy. It will also provide a way to meet the targets of the recently announced National Strategic Plan for Urban Waste in Portugal (PERSU 2030). In addition, a significant part of the committed financing will benefit cohesion regions.

According to Emídio Pinheiro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGF, “The financing represents recognition of the benefit of the investment plan and of the implementation capacity of EGF’s concessionaires, ultimately contributing to the environmental goals and commitments set for the country.”

“Providing high-quality sustainable solid waste management is crucial to safeguard public health and protect the environment but also to support resource efficiency and the circular economy,” EIB Vice-President Ricardo Mourinho Félix said. “This is a priority area for the EIB as shown by our ongoing support to the sector in Portugal, where we have been providing long-term financing and technical assistance to public and private waste management projects, thus contributing to its modernisation.”

Ongoing support to sustainable waste management in Portugal

EIB support to sustainable waste management in Portugal has been crucial for the strengthen and modernisation of the sector in the country. This is the EIB’s third loan to EGF. Between 2019-2021, the EIB committed €75 million to EGF, facilitating the construction of new waste recovery units across the country. Over recent years, the EIB has committed finance to implement selective collection infrastructure, new ways to value waste, deployment of new industrial technologies and more modern plants.

Overall, the EIB estimates it has committed close to €700 million to this sector in Portugal since 1987, thus contributing to a more sustainable waste management in the country and the quality of life of its citizens.

Background information

About the EIB

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals.

The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group), which consists of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), reported another year of excellent results in Portugal, with overall financing signed in 2022 reaching € 1.7 billion.

About EGF

EGF is a European company of reference in the environmental sector and leader in the treatment and recovery of waste in Portugal. EGF 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 management of waste treatment and recovery systems is carried out by 11 concessionary companies (Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor, Valorsul) set up in partnership with the municipalities served, which annually process around 3.3 million tonnes of urban waste, serving a population of 6.2 million people spread across 174 municipalities in an area equivalent to 60% of Portuguese territory.

Press contacts

EIB: Maite Cordero | Tel.: +34 606 66 82 62 | email: m.corderomunoz@eib.org

Website: www.eib.org/press — Press Office: +352 4379 21000 — press@eib.org

EGF: Ana Loureiro | Mobile phone: +351 968 601 711 | email: ana.loureiro@egf.pt

Website : www.egf.pt

Within the contest "Better performance, More Recycling", promoted by Sociedade Ponto Verde and the company Tetra Pack, Resiestrela was one of the municipal waste management systems with one of the highest growth rates of ECAL take-back for recycling, in the year 2022, so it was awarded with a monetary value that will be given to a social association.

In 2022, Resiestrela recorded a 19% growth in the number of cartons for liquid foods (milk, juice, cream packages, etc.), collected and sent for recycling, compared to 2021.

This award is a sign of the work and dedication of the entire community of the 14 municipalities that integrate the Resiestrela system, namely the municipalities of Almeida, Belmonte, Celorico da Beira, Covilhã, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Fornos de Algodres, Fundão, Guarda, Manteigas, Meda, Penamacor, Pinhel, Sabugal and Trancoso. It is the result of many communication actions that are implemented in these municipalities in order to involve and make people responsible for the importance of multimaterial separation.

Furthermore, social responsibility campaigns have been dynamised, aimed at schools and IPSS, as well as awareness campaigns for the door-to-door collection service customers (commerce, companies and services), which demonstrates the importance of the active participation of the whole community.

We would also like to highlight all the effort of the Resiestrela team, which works every day with a strong sense of responsibility and mission, so that recyclable waste from the ecopoints, the door-to-door collection service and the ecocentres is collected and recovered, and then sorted by type to ensure that all recyclable material is sent for recycling, thus not having the landfill as its final destination.

Our goal is, only one, to serve the population of the 14 municipalities, so that all waste produced is collected and sent for recovery through recycling processes, contributing to the implementation of a circular economy in the region.

The managing director Nuno Heitor recognises that "This award is the result of the effort and dedication of all Resiestrela's employees who daily perform their work, with a strong spirit of service and citizenship".

EGF, the company responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste in 174 municipalities in Portugal and 60% of the Portuguese population, recorded an increase in the selective collection of packaging (plastic, metal, cardboard and glass) of 6% in 2022 compared to 2021, in a year in which total waste production also decreased by 1%.

The reception originating from the selective collection of packaging (plastic, metal, cardboard and glass) was 377 thousand tonnes, presenting a growth of 6% compared to 2021 (in absolute value, approximately 22 thousand tonnes). The total reception of urban waste in the regions served by the EGF concessionaires decreased by 1% compared to the same period in 2021 (in absolute value, approximately 38 thousand tonnes less).

Greater participation by citizens and consistent investment in vehicles, containers, facilities and environmental education, has allowed EGF and its 11 concessionaires to increase the amount of material sent for recycling.

Separation of bio-waste increases

Food waste and pruning and garden waste already represent 13% of all selective collections, with a tendency to increase as municipalities move towards these selective collections. This bio-waste is transformed into organic correctives, a 100% natural fertiliser used in agriculture. In 2022 29,000 tonnes of this much-needed product were produced for national soils, which allows carbon to be retained in soils and increases rainwater retention, helping to prevent climate change.

Waste generates electricity to supply 110,000 families

Through various technologies, EGF utilities produce electricity from common waste and biodegradable waste. In 2022, 406 GWh were exported to the grid, equivalent to the domestic consumption of 110,000 Portuguese families.

About EGF

EGF is a European company of reference in the environmental sector and leader in the treatment and recovery of waste in Portugal. Integrated in 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 the improvement of the quality of life and of the environment.

Waste treatment and recovery systems are managed by 11 concessionary companies (Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor, Valorsul), established in partnership with the municipalities served, which annually process about 3.3 million tons of municipal waste (UW), serving a population of 6.2 million people spread over 174 municipalities, in an area equivalent to 60% of the territory of Portugal.

The Football Foundation - Liga Portugal and EGF, as the official sustainability partner in the management of waste from professional competitions, have transformed the Final Four of the Allianz CUP into an EcoEvent, making recycling a priority for all.

Between January 21 and 28 there will be a reinforcement of the Containerization, both in the Leiria Municipal Stadium and in the Fan Zone, located in the city centre, as well as in the work areas, with the purpose of promoting good environmental practices and recycling.

During the whole week, in the Fan Zone, there will be Mochileiros who will have the mission of making visitors to the enclosure aware of the good practices of environmental sustainability. Without forgetting the brand image of the Sustainability on Field campaign: the recycling containers near the benches will be present at the Leiria Municipal.

To reinforce the campaign for the promotion and awareness of recycling, the EGF game that encourages and rewards good environmental practices, available in the Recycle Bingo application, will have a special and exclusive mission for all users during this competitive week.  

This initiative takes place under the Cooperation for Sustainability protocol between EGF and the Football Foundation, which provides for the joint organisation and promotion of events and initiatives related to the respective areas of operation. Initially, EGF had placed 72 containers for selective separation next to the bench destined for the technical teams.

About the Football Foundation - Liga Portugal

The Football Foundation - Liga Portugal assumes the mission of being a link between the Professional Football Clubs and Social Responsibility, working for a society more committed to inclusion and equity.

In this sense, and with the awareness that Football and Social Responsibility should walk in the same direction and side by side, the Football Foundation has taken upon itself the responsibility of using the notoriety of football, and its players, in favour of Sustainability for a more Positive, Tolerant and Aggregating Football.

About EGF

EGF is a leading European company in the environmental sector and a leader in waste treatment and recovery in Portugal. Integrated in 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 the improvement of the quality of life and of the environment.

Waste treatment and recovery systems are managed by 11 concessionary companies (Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor, Valorsul), set up in partnership with the municipalities served, which process around 3.3 million tons of municipal waste annually, serving a population of 6.2 million people spread over 174 municipalities, in an area equivalent to 60% of Portugal.

Amarsul makes a new investment in treatment and organic valorization, by advancing with the construction of a new biological treatment unit in the Ecoparque of Palmela, a significant investment in the region with the purpose of achieving the goals set in the treatment of biowaste, offering a valid alternative to landfill waste, and thus improving the service provided to the population of the Setúbal Peninsula.

With an investment of around 18 million euros, the new infrastructure, with 26 500 m2, is already in an advanced stage of construction. It will have a capacity to receive 50 thousand tons of organic waste per year, from the selective collection of municipalities, with an estimated production of 8,500 tons of compost also per year, to be used as organic corrective of agricultural land.

Its construction obeys the most rigorous requirements and certifications, both in the waterproofing and aeration system, and in the drainage and forwarding of leachates. State-of-the-art equipment, material and technology are being used, ensuring increasingly demanding environmental standards, as well as the use of the best available technologies.

Within the scope of this investment, the Mechanical Treatment unit, where undifferentiated waste is deposited, will also be re-qualified, in order to improve the pre-treatment process, processing and separation of organic matter from other waste, for subsequent forwarding to the new unit.

It is estimated that the new Biological Treatment unit will start operating in the middle of next year 2023.

+Info: Susana Silva| Mobile: 961 021 722 | E-mail: comunicacao@amarsul.pt

About Amarsul

Amarsul is responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste from the 9 municipalities of the Setúbal Peninsula: Alcochete, Almada, Barreiro, Moita, Montijo, Palmela, Seixal, Sesimbra and Setúbal.

In 2021, Amarsul treated 464 thousand tons of waste and recovered 45 thousand tons of recyclables, in 10 facilities. The company relies on the collaboration of about 400 workers, who daily serve the 800 thousand inhabitants of the peninsula. 

Amarsul also recovers energy from waste, through the extraction of biogas, producing annually about 17 GWh of electricity, which is injected into the National Electricity Grid. It also produced 9,000 tonnes of organic correctives that were applied to tree and shrub crops, namely orchards, olive groves, vineyards and forest species. These soil correctives are obtained through the organic valorisation of the biowaste received, whether from undifferentiated collection or selective collection, under strictly controlled conditions.

Solidarity and the spirit of mutual help are present throughout the year at RESINORTE and EGF. But it is at Christmas that a greater desire is felt to help those in need, seeking to improve the living conditions of those most in need, ensuring that this Christmas season is lived with more comfort and well-being.

This year was no exception. As part of the celebration of EGF's 75th anniversary, RESINORTE and EGF were present in a noble social cause, collaborating in the refurbishment of several indoor and outdoor spaces of the Manuel António da Mota Social Centre, in Codessoso, Celorico de Basto. This solidarity and volunteering event, held on Friday morning, was attended by the Mayor of Celorico de Basto, Dr. José Peixoto Lima, the Chairman of Codessoso, Mr. António Pinheiro, the Chairman of the Board of RESINORTE, Mr. Miguel Lisboa, the Director of RESINORTE, Mr. Rui Silva, and several employees of RESINORTE, who volunteered for this noble cause.

Moreover, and because this is such a special season, RESINORTE gave a small gift to the users of the Manuel António da Mota Social Centre, hoping to make this season happier!

About Resinorte

RESINORTE is responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste from 35 municipalities of the North Central region: Alijó, Amarante, Armamar, Baião, Boticas, Cabeceiras de Basto, Celorico de Basto, Chaves, Cinfães, Fafe, Guimarães, Lamego, Marco de Canaveses, Mesão Frio, Moimenta da Beira, Mondim de Basto, Montalegre, Murça, Penedono, Peso da Régua, Resende, Ribeira de Pena, Sabrosa, Santa Marta de Penaguião, Santo Tirso, São João da Pesqueira, Sernancelhe, Tabuaço, Tarouca, Trofa, Valpaços, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Vila Real and Vizela.

Resinorte serves a population of approximately 1 million inhabitants and receives for treatment approximately 350,000 tonnes of municipal waste per year.

For more information, please contact

Marisa Lima | Communication and Awareness 

Telephone: 252 900 780 | Mobile: 935 015 330 | E-mail: mlima@resinorte.pt

The Football Foundation and EGF signed today, 13 December 2022, a cooperation protocol for Sustainability, through the joint organization and promotion of events and initiatives related to their respective areas of operation, which makes EGF the official sustainability partner in the field of waste management.

Initially, this partnership will promote, with the Clubs, the placement of 72 containers for selective waste separation next to the seat for the technical teams, in the 36 stadiums where matches of competitions organised by Liga Portugal are played.

But many will be the projects, actions and training that will result from this protocol that makes EGF the official partner of the Football Foundation for sustainability in waste management. This partnership with an award-winning company with over 75 years of history, which manages 11 companies from north to south of the country, which aims to ensure the recovery of waste in the most sustainable way and which positions itself as a beacon of innovation and environmental reference, is a huge step on the road to sustainability that the Football Foundation seeks to trace with the Portuguese Professional Football.

"The Professional Football Clubs have been the example in matters of Sustainability and Social Responsibility with the tireless work of the Foundations. This has always been one of Liga Portugal's main objectives. This partnership with EGF, a renowned company in waste management, represents another important step by the Football Foundation and Professional Football in making our spectacle more sustainable," said Pedro Proença, President of Liga Portugal.

"EGF and its concessionaires are proud to be partners of the Football Foundation, so that together, it is possible to implement solutions and raise awareness among citizens in the adoption of appropriate behaviour, and so that it is possible to reduce and recycle the waste produced, in stadiums, at home and everywhere else," said Emídio Pinheiro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGF.

About the Football Foundation - Liga Portugal

The Football Foundation - Liga Portugal assumes the mission of being a link between the Professional Football Clubs and Social Responsibility, working for a society more committed to inclusion and equity.

In this sense, and with the awareness that Football and Social Responsibility should walk in the same direction and side by side, the Football Foundation has taken upon itself the responsibility of using the notoriety of football, and its players, in favour of Sustainability for a more Positive, Tolerant and Aggregating Football.

About EGF

EGF is a European company of reference in the environmental sector and a leader in waste treatment and recovery in Portugal. Integrated in 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 the improvement of the quality of life and of the environment.

Waste treatment and recovery systems are managed by 11 concessionary companies (Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor, Valorsul), set up in partnership with the municipalities served, which process around 3.3 million tons of municipal waste (RU) annually, serving a population of 6.2 million people spread over 174 municipalities, in an area equivalent to 60% of Portugal.

More information at https://www.egf.pt/.

Informations: Marisa Nobre |Mobile: 913959739 | E-mail: marisa.nobre@egf.pt

EGF joined this year the 'Tágides Award: people who inspire us in the fight against corruption'. For EGF, as a reference company in the Environment sector in Portugal, this partnership is a contribution to, in collaboration with All4Integrity, call on civil society to get involved in the fight against corruption in Portugal.

The final ceremony of the Tágides Award will take place on 16 December, at 5pm, at Fundação Oriente, where those who inspire us in the fight against corruption will be distinguished. This event, as part of the EGF support, will be attended by Dr. Marta Neves, member of the EGF Executive Committee and Dr. Emídio Pinheiro, Chairman of the EGF Executive Committee.

The 'Tágides Award: people who inspire us in the fight against corruption' aims to identify, recognise, celebrate and reward projects, works and/or initiatives of people who stand out in the promotion of a culture of integrity and prevention and fight against corruption in Portugal, in various areas of society.

This is the list of 19 finalists (https://www.all4integrity.org/premio-tagides/finalistas/) selected by a panel of 34 jurors (https://www.all4integrity.org/premio-tagides/juri/) as the main sources of inspiration in the fight against corruption in Portugal. These 19 finalists resulted from dozens of nominees nominated by civil society.

About EGF

EGF is a leading European company in the environmental sector and a leader in waste treatment and recovery in Portugal. Integrated in 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 the improvement of the quality of life and of the environment.

Waste treatment and recovery systems are managed by 11 concessionary companies (Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor, Valorsul), established in partnership with the municipalities served, which annually process about 3.3 million tons of municipal waste (RU), serving a population of 6.2 million people spread over 174 municipalities, in an area equivalent to 60% of the territory in Portugal.

More information at https://www.egf.pt/.

ODSlocal Platform celebrates another year of existence with the 3rd Annual ODSlocal Conference "Paths, Dynamics, Futures" taking place today, December 7th, in Loulé, at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, from 2pm. During this event, the ODSLocal Awards will be delivered, a distinction that includes two categories: Municipal Practices for SDGs and Local Projects for SDGs.

EGF is present in this initiative and sponsors the Local Projects for the SDGs category, which aims to distinguish three projects of civil society organisations mapped in the ODSlocal portal, at national level, that have a positive impact on the advancement of the 2030 Agenda, are strongly inspiring and have a high replicability potential in the People, Prosperity and Planet categories.

The ODSlocal Seals will also be awarded to the municipalities that stood out the most in this area.

About ODSlocal Platform

ODSlocal Platform is the name of the initiative that aims to mobilise municipalities and other relevant entities to achieve, at local level, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations Agenda 2030.

It was born from a partnership between the National Council for Environment and Sustainable Development (CNADS), OBSERVA (ICS-University of Lisbon), MARE (New University of Lisbon), and 2adapt, and is supported by the "la Caixa" Foundation.

It integrates a dynamic online portal that allows visualising and monitoring the progress and contributions of each municipality in relation to the SDGs.

More information at https://odslocal.pt/.

About EGF

EGF is a European company of reference in the environmental sector and leader in the treatment and recovery of waste in Portugal. 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 the improvement of the quality of life and of the environment.

Waste treatment and recovery systems are managed by 11 concessionary companies (Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor, Valorsul), set up in partnership with the municipalities served, which process around 3.3 million tons of municipal waste (RU) annually, serving a population of 6.2 million people spread over 174 municipalities, in an area equivalent to 60% of Portugal.

More information at https://www.egf.pt/

EGF joined GRACE - Empresas Responsáveis, a benchmark association in the areas of Sustainability and Social Responsibility, by which EGF also aligns its activity.

The mission of GRACE is to promote and develop a sustainable business culture and through this association EGF will be part of a group of companies committed to integrating, innovating and inspiring socially responsible practices.

In addition to the advantages of inter-company collaboration, having joined this association represents EGF's motivation to promote good sustainable practices and to strengthen the Responsible Companies movement.

ODSlocal Platform celebrates another year of existence with the 3rd Annual ODSlocal Conference "Paths, Dynamics, Futures" taking place today, December 7th, in Loulé, at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, from 2pm. During this event, the ODSLocal Awards will be delivered, a distinction that includes two categories: Municipal Practices for SDGs and Local Projects for SDGs.

EGF is present in this initiative and sponsors the Local Projects for the SDGs category, which aims to distinguish three projects of civil society organisations mapped in the ODSlocal portal, at national level, that have a positive impact on the advancement of the 2030 Agenda, are strongly inspiring and have a high replicability potential in the People, Prosperity and Planet categories.

The ODSlocal Seals will also be awarded to the municipalities that stood out the most in this area.

About ODSlocal Platform

ODSlocal Platform is the name of the initiative that aims to mobilise municipalities and other relevant entities to achieve, at local level, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations Agenda 2030.

It was born from a partnership between the National Council for Environment and Sustainable Development (CNADS), OBSERVA (ICS-University of Lisbon), MARE (New University of Lisbon), and 2adapt, and is supported by the "la Caixa" Foundation.

It integrates a dynamic online portal that allows visualising and monitoring the progress and contributions of each municipality in relation to the SDGs.

More information at https://odslocal.pt/.

About EGF

EGF is a European company of reference in the environmental sector and leader in the treatment and recovery of waste in Portugal. 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 the improvement of the quality of life and of the environment.

Waste treatment and recovery systems are managed by 11 concessionary companies (Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor, Valorsul), set up in partnership with the municipalities served, which process around 3.3 million tons of municipal waste (RU) annually, serving a population of 6.2 million people spread over 174 municipalities, in an area equivalent to 60% of Portugal.

More information at https://www.egf.pt/

Information: Ana Loureiro |Mobile: 968601711 | E-mail: ana.loureiro@egf.pt

EGF integrates Escola Amiga da Criança in 2022, being one of the main partners of this initiative focused on the themes of Sustainability and Happiness in Schools.

Escola Amiga da Criança and EGF signed a cooperation protocol for the school year 2022/2023, in which they commit to collaborate for the promotion and development of scientific studies on issues related to school, its people and surrounding ecosystems.

Under this partnership, Escola Amiga da Criança and EGF will promote a first study, whose results are expected to be published in the first quarter of 2010, which aims to assess and characterise Happiness in Schools, with the following objectives:

- Characterise the perception of happiness at school among Portuguese students and teachers (from 2nd CEB to Secondary Education), taking into account the following dimensions: hope, commitment, belonging, social and emotional learning and well-being.  The following dimensions will also be considered: Feel well/Meaning; Subjective health; Healthy exercise; Healthy eating (Feel well/Meaning; Subjective health; Move Well; Eat Well, in Marujo & Neto, 2011).

- Assess the influence of climates and/or ecosystems (school, colleagues and family) on students' and teachers' perceptions of happiness.

- Assess the importance that the perception of a sustainable development of the planet has on the perception of happiness.

- Create an observatory, as a long-term project, for the periodic collection of this data, allowing us to compare respondents at the beginning of a study cycle and at the end of it.

- Build a happiness index of Portuguese schools, also a long-term project.

Prizes for schools

The Escola Amiga da Criança awards prizes every year to schools with the best projects in various themes, and EGF has taken on the support of Sustainability projects with special prizes in this category - the possibility of receiving a visit from travelling planetariums and the development of special mascots in the APP Recycle BinGo (www.recyclebingo.pt).

This partnership will also be promoted in the Ecovalor Programme, a school programme that the EGF Group has been developing for more than 20 years and in partnership with municipalities, which offers educational activities to encourage good environmental practices on urban waste, and includes awareness-raising and training activities, workshops, competitions and educational information for the entire school community.

Applications run until 30 June 2023, through the project's official website https://escolaamiga.pt/, where you can also find all the information about the initiative.

The winning project wins €5.000 (five thousand euros) in LeYa books.

Escola Amiga da Criança also awards the winning project in each category with €1000 in LeYa books for the school libraries and additional prizes from the partners involved in the initiative.

About the Escola Amiga da Criança

The Escola Amiga da Criança is a joint initiative of CONFAP (National Confederation of Parents' Associations), LeYa and the psychologist Eduardo Sá, which aims to distinguish and recognise schools that conceive and implement extraordinary ideas, contributing to a happier and more complete development of the child in the school environment.

The 6th edition of the initiative also has the support of the Altice Foundation, REN, Católica of Porto Business School, the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the Portuguese Catholic University, the Higher Institute of Social and Political Sciences, the Faculty of Human Motricity of the University of Lisbon, Sociedade Ponto Verde, Associação Mutualista Montepio, The Inventors, Fábrica Centro Ciência Viva of the University of Aveiro, EKUI, ACEGIS Association, Solfut, Maped, Lisbon Zoo and the Oceanarium.

More information at https://escolaamiga.pt/

About EGF

EGF is a leading European company in the environmental sector and a leader in waste treatment and recovery in Portugal. Integrated in 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 the improvement of the quality of life and of the environment.

Waste treatment and recovery systems are managed by 11 concessionary companies (Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor, Valorsul), set up in partnership with the municipalities served, which process around 3.3 million tons of municipal waste (RU) annually, serving a population of 6.2 million people spread over 174 municipalities, in an area equivalent to 60% of Portugal.

More information at https://www.egf.pt/

Information: Ana Loureiro |Mobile: 968601711 | E-mail: ana.loureiro@egf.pt

The second edition of the "Movimento Faz Pelo Planeta", an Eletrão initiative, in which EGF is a partner, has begun. The " Movimento Faz Pelo Planeta by Electrão" will identify new "big changers" who make a difference and influence others to adopt more sustainable behaviour.

The project also intends to contribute to the construction of an authentic community of environmental activists, who are perfect examples of how it is possible to think globally and act locally.

The candidacy can be presented directly on the campaign's official page and, once validated, the candidate can start its dissemination and the public will be able to vote for the one they identify with the most. This will result in the five most popular applications for evaluation by the jury, which in turn will elect another five applications for the final list, from which the three winners will be chosen.

Prizes for the three grand prize winners

The first prize is worth 7,500 euros. The second winner will receive €5,000 and the third winner will receive €2,500. The monetary prizes are intended to boost the projects, as set out in the regulations.

Entries can be submitted until March 2023. Voting will take place during April next year and the announcement of the winners is scheduled for May.

Video presentation of the project at https://youtu.be/YJC8ocReDjg.

It took place last Friday, in the installations of the Afonso Lopes Vieira Municipal Library, the award ceremony of the poetry contest "Reuse Poetry, Recycle Words" promoted by Valorlis, with the purpose to stimulate the literary expression through the writing of poems, inspired on the Recycling theme.

The ceremony had the presence of more than 60 people, among poets, relatives and representatives of the institutions participants in the contest, in a poetry soirée, where the poems were recited, accompanied by the guitar by the students of the music school SAMP and by the musician Sergio Bento.

The jury of the contest, the psychologist and writer Paulo José Costa, the biologist and writer Carla Veríssimo, both poets and promoters of Poetry and the environment engineer and Valorlis Administrator, Marta Loia Guerreiro, delivered the prizes to the winners, recognizing the quality of the received poems.

The winning poets were: 1st place, Tatiana Alves, 2nd place, Nídia Nair, 3rd place, Isabel Moio and were also distinguished with an Honourable Mention, the poems written by Henrique Louro and Rita Leitão.

The winning poems were printed in a reusable bag, personalized and offered to all participants, together with a domestic recycling bin. The winning poets also received a trophy and a voucher for the purchase of books in local bookshops.

An e-book, which compiles all the poems received, is being prepared and will be available on Valorlis' website for download.

The contest was directed to writing and poetry lovers, residents in the six counties of Valorlis' intervention area, and received 42 poems, written by authors with ages between 10 and 86 years old, and also from users from 7 institutions.

Marta Loia Guerreiro, Valorlis' Executive Administrator, stresses that "this initiative was a success, with a good acceptance by the population and with a high quality participation shown through the poems received, which revealed a great knowledge of the proposed themes: environment, sustainability and recycling", and adds that "Valorlis intends to continue to associate recycling to literary and artistic expression and, in this way, increase good separation and recycling practices among a wider public".

Valorlis thanks all the participants and all the institutions and entities that have enthusiastically encouraged this competition. A special thanks to the jury of this competition Paulo José Costa and Carla Veríssimo, for having accepted Valorlis invitation, to the students of the music school SAMP and to the musician Sergio Bento, who enriched this initiative with their music.

On November 6, Amarsul began the II Edition of the "Recycling Market" campaign, in partnership with the Azeitão Town Council, in the Azeitão Monthly Market - Municipality of Setúbal.

During the morning, a team from Amarsul was in the Azeitão Monthly Market to raise awareness and motivate the shopkeepers for the correct separation of recyclables and delivered 1 recycling kit, composed by coloured bags to promote the correct separation of waste in the enclosure, thus avoiding the dispersion of waste. At the end of the afternoon, the monitors returned to the Market to collect the bags from each market vendor.

With the success of the previous edition, Amarsul intends to keep the award "Recycling Market" to participating markets, which stand out for their commitment to reducing the environmental impact resulting from their activity, promoting proper waste management, as well as promoting a dynamic of proximity of Amarsul to its municipalities, in solving common problems, thus contributing to an active citizenship in the field of sustainable development and for building a more efficient society in the use of its resources.

A "Recycling Market" represents a market with a responsible character and concern for sustainability, which will be a differentiating element.

This campaign is supported by Sociedade Ponto Verde.

From 19 to 27 November the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) takes place, this year dedicated to the theme "Textiles - Circular & Sustainable, Waste is out of fashion!".

In this edition of EWWR, EGF and its 11 concessionaires promote activities to raise awareness on waste reduction, product reuse and material recycling.

EWWR 2022 aims to draw attention and create awareness on the need to bring more circularity to the textile sector.

Textile consumption in Europe has the fourth highest impact on the environment and climate change, after food, housing and transport. And it is in the top three on water and land use and in the top five in terms of raw material use and greenhouse gas emissions.

During this week, citizens, private organisations, public entities and NGOs are organising actions that aim to alert society to the reality of excessive consumption in the textile sector and what alternatives exist. This initiative also includes prevention, reuse and recycling actions that cover several types of waste and also includes campaigns to clean up several spaces (beaches, riverbanks, streets, green spaces, etc.).

For more information on the European Week for Waste Reduction 2022 visit: https://ewwr.eu/por/.

EGF and its concessionaires, in EWWR, implement and support various activities that contribute to this objective of raising awareness for waste prevention and which is also based on the 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, and these are the basis for changing the habits of the consumer society.

Throughout EWWR, EGF will be on the "Manhãs da Comercial", between 9am and 10am, promoting waste prevention habits and “Linha da Reciclagem”, https://linhadareciclagem.pt/, a free service that seeks to answer all questions about municipal waste.

Find out about the activities that take place during this Week, promoted by the Group's companies:

We were born in 1997 and we have been here for 25 years with the ambitious goal of finding a solution and destination for the thousands of tons of municipal waste produced in the Setúbal Peninsula.

AMARSUL's municipal waste treatment system is a reference in the history of the valorization of municipal waste in our country.

Throughout these 25 years, AMARSUL has invested in the potential of waste as a real resource.

The result of the work developed this quarter of a century is remarkable: per year, we produce electricity for the annual domestic supply of 16,000 inhabitants, using exclusively waste as raw material; we produce more than 9 thousand tons of compost for agriculture and 46 thousand tons of materials sent for recycling.

AMARSUL's priority is to improve the public service of waste management provided to municipalities and to the population in general. Our future will continue to involve strong investment in innovation and commitment to the highest standards of quality, through innovative strategies to raise awareness, increasing the capacity of selective collection, the effective treatment of organic matter collected selectively and the optimization of our treatment and recovery infrastructures.

The territory served by AMARSUL covers a geographical area of 9 municipalities, with 808 thousand inhabitants. Each year, we receive and treat 464 thousand tons of waste, recovering all the urban waste produced in the Setúbal Peninsula.

In 2022, the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR), will take place from 19 to 27 November, and will have as its central theme "Circular & Sustainable Textiles. ".

The aim of these initiatives is to alert to the need to act together to prevent waste production, encouraging, for example, the development of solidarity and collaboration actions between people, in a society that stops producing waste to promote a circular economy.

Fashion is one of the ways human beings use to express themselves. Behind the red carpets, the fashion shows and the sales, there is a massive industry employing over 1.5 million people in Europe alone. But the other side of the coin tells a different story, less brilliant and much more alarming.

The textile industry is one of the most polluting sectors, with a strong environmental and social impact at all stages of the process, from production, distribution, collection, sorting, recycling to the final management of this waste, which most often goes to incineration and landfill.

We can all act and contribute to reducing waste. The possibilities are immense!

Sustainable production and consumption will only be possible if we give products and/or objects extended life spans. Initiatives such as: reuse; repair; rental; purchase of second-hand objects or sharing, are measures that contribute to reduce the need for new production and, consequently, the amount of raw materials used during its manufacture.

Algar and ENTRAJUDA join EWWR, encouraging the prevention of waste, by promoting a campaign to collect used clothes, children's shoes and toys.

All the materials collected, being in good condition, will be given to families with financial difficulties, supported by the Social Solidarity Institution ENTRAJUDA.

The campaign, called "Recolha Solidária de Roupas e Brinquedos" (Solidarity Collection of Clothes and Toys), will take place in all Algar facilities, (www.algar.com.pt), until the end of November.

The EGF Group won in two categories at  the APCE Grand Prize 2021, with the campaign "The Future of the Planet is Not Recyclable" and the project "Recycling Line".

The Grand Prize of the Portuguese Association of Corporate Communication (APCE) aims to reward every year the best in communication in Portugal, through an independent jury.

The campaign " The Future of the Planet is Not Recyclable " won the award in the Sustainability & ESG: Environmental category. The campaign, launched in October 2020 and co-funded by POSEUR, raised awareness among the population about the prevention, reuse and recycling of urban waste, with messages, videos, visuals and participation in the media. This was a real team effort, with the participation of EGF workers, POSEUR, the agencies Tux&Gill, Tempo Media and M Public Relations.

The Recycling Line received the award in the External Multimedia category: Website, blog and external apps.

The free, public and national call center service has already received more than 28,000 contacts in 2022 and aims to give reliable and concrete answers and solutions to citizens about the waste they have to recover. The adhesion to the Recycling Line has been growing and the evolution by the teams follows the needs that are being identified in this journey, allowing a continuous and increasingly challenging evolution.

The APCE Grand Prize 2021 in the Sustainability & ESG category was attributed to Mota-Engil + White Way, with the 2020 Sustainability Report.

Under the motto "United for all, we reflect tomorrow", Mota Engil's 2020 Sustainability Report had the contribution of specific information on the activity of EGF and the various Concessionaires. This publication contains specific Environmental, Social and Economic information on the waste treatment and recovery activity, among other useful information on the various sectors in which Mota-Engil Group operates.

During the APCE Grand Prize 2021 Ceremony, the trophies of the two editions of the APCE Grand Prize that took place during the pandemic period and whose winners had already been announced through an online Ceremony were handed over. In this case, the EGF Group went on stage to receive the APCE Grand Prize 2020, in the category External Campaign Services (Tertiary Sector), with Algar's campaign "In the Algarve Be Algarvio: Separates" and the Special Edition COVID-19 award - Integrated Campaign - Services (Tertiary Sector), with the campaign #PREVENIRCOVID19.

APCE Grand Prize 2021

External Multimedia: Website, blog and external apps

Recycling Line

Sustainability & ESG: Environmental

The Future of the Planet is Not Recyclable

Sustainability & ESG: Sustainability Report

Mota-Engil + White Way

2020 Sustainability Report

APCE Grand Prize 20210

External Services Campaign (Tertiary Sector)

"In the Algarve Be Algarvian: Separate”

Special Edition COVID-19

Integrated Campaign - Services (Tertiary Sector)

#PREVENIRCOVID19

The Recycling Line completed one year on 27 October and in 2022 alone it has already received more than 28,000 contacts.

On its anniversary, the Recycling Line received its first award for "Recognition of Practices in Social Responsibility and Sustainability".

It started slowly, providing support and clarification to citizens in the interior of the country and, little by little, the service was extended to EGF's 11 concessionaires. It aims to be a recycling 112: it is an ambitious EGF project that seeks to give answers and solutions to citizens regarding their doubts about recycling, which translate into requests for information, suggestions and complaints.

There are already twelve operators responding to citizens from the North to the South of the country, a specialised team responding to the requests for help and information that arrive looking for a solution. The contacts come in by email, telephone and website and the way they are dealt with and solved is based on a customised platform that implies the operation of selective collection and treatment units and waste valorisation.

The innovation is in the processes and in the expeditious manner in which 12 companies articulate themselves to respond to a need with few national solutions - if someone has waste to deliver and doesn't know where; what the procedures are; doubts about recycling; and a whole set of questions that the Recycling Line can help solve. A chatbot will be available very soon and, in 2023, links between platforms that will allow greater interaction with waste collection teams whenever there is a problem on the ground to be solved.

The aim of the Recycling Line is to provide reliable and concrete answers and solutions to citizens about the waste they have to recover. Based on this objective, there are several advantages associated to this service, starting with the fact that there is a greater capacity to respond to the growing demand from citizens, since more and more people are motivated to adopt appropriate environmental behaviours, lacking a simple and convenient contact channel that could help them. The standardization of contact channels also allows the creation of synergies, greater consistency of messages (and consequent reduction of errors) and greater efficiency in responses. In short, this service allows having a single number, a single website and more efficient responses.

The service began on 27 October 2021. The adhesion to the Recycling Line has been growing and the evolution by the teams follows the needs that are being identified in this journey, allowing a continuous and increasingly challenging evolution. In 2022, more than 28,000 contacts have already been received.

This is a contact channel that citizens can call free of charge, with the certainty that at the other end there is an operator ready to help solve the problem at hand. And this is how this service is certainly a contribution towards more and better recycling.

EGF is the company promoting this initiative, which is carried out in partnership with its 11 concessionaires. Together, the company and its concessionaires treat and recover 60% of the urban waste in Portugal. Although it does not provide waste collection and recovery services to the whole country, the Recycling Line answers and directs all questions addressed to the respective entities (municipalities, parish councils or other waste treatment and recovery systems). The aim is to make life easier for citizens and to guide them in their doubts and questions.

About the Award for Recognition of Practices in Social Responsibility and Sustainability.

Promoted by APEE since 2015, the award distinguishes the implementation of good governance policies and models in public and private sector organisations, both profit and non-profit, that create value for their stakeholders and actively contribute to sustainable development.

On 27 October, the Recycling Line received the award "Recognition of Practices in Social Responsibility and Sustainability", an initiative of the Portuguese Association for Business Ethics (APEE) and the Global Compact Network Portugal.

Recycling Line was distinguished with an Honourable Mention, in the category of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (ODS), established by the United Nations until 2030: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Recognition of Practices in Social Responsibility and Sustainability

AXIS II - SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

ODS 11- SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

Honourable Mention

Practice: Recycling Line

EGF promoted its Annual Leaders' Meeting on 14 October, with the motto "A Past with a Future".

It was a day that marked the history of EGF and its 75 years with an vision to the Future, with the aim of presenting the EGF Group's position on the challenges facing the country in meeting the ambitious targets for prevention, recycling and recovery.

The meeting was opened by Emidio Pinheiro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGF, and Nuno Moreira da Cruz, CEO NMC and Executive Director and Professor Católica-Lisbon, was present as guest speaker, where he addressed the topic of Sustainability as a Strategy.

Remember with us the best moments of this event in https://vimeo.com/761565822 

Jornal de Negócios launches the 3rd edition of the National Sustainability Award, an ambitious project, fully aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. 

EGF sponsors this 3rd edition of the National Sustainability Award, and Emídio Pinheiro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGF, is a member of the Jury in the Circular Economy category.

In the first two editions, many companies with economic activity in Portugal accepted the challenge and participated in great numbers, with applications of great relevance and quality.

This year, the objective is to continue to recognise, inspire, promote and disseminate the work and performance of the companies that join the initiative for global sustainability.

If your company or institution has developed sustainability best practices that you are proud of, apply.

Join the club of those who distinguish themselves in the different areas of sustainability: environmental, social and governance.

Apply at: https://sustentabilidade.negocios.pt/premio/

Emídio Pinheiro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGF, spoke to Jornal de Negócios about Sustainability.

EGF has concrete objectives in the environmental, social and governance areas. For Emídio Pinheiro, "we need a new strategy for waste" and only with the active participation of citizens will it be possible to make the world more sustainable in the area of waste.

EGF is sponsor of the 3rd edition of the National Sustainability Award, an initiative of Jornal de Negócios.

Watch the full interview HERE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpreQwan0HQ&t=23s 

For more information click on https://lnkd.in/d2yfiaSX 

Ana Loureiro is re-elected as ISWA Representative.

Ana Loureiro, EGF's Communication Director, was re-elected for another 2 years as Representative of National Members on ISWA - International Solid Waste Association's organization Board.

It is one more step on the path to make the world a better place!

Congratulations Ana Loureiro and APESB, ISWA's representative in Portugal!

EcoEvents from north to south of the country

EcoEvents continue to mark their presence from north to south of the country.

EGF and its 11 companies are promoting and supporting sustainable events among municipalities and organisations from the north to the south of the country.

Summer festivals, sporting events and festivals are the first target of this campaign that aims to spread proper environmental habits everywhere.

The aim is to ensure that organisers ensure the proper management of waste produced in the event venues, from its prevention, reuse and recycling, and to raise awareness among participants to collaborate in this collective movement.

In recent months, there have been many and varied good examples of EcoEvents: the 29th International Motorcycle Concentration in Góis (Góis); Sol da Caparica Festival (Costa da Caparica); Paredes de Coura Festival (Paredes de Coura); Meo Kalorama (Lisbon) and Douro & Porto Wine Festival (Lamego); lots of city festivals and races throughout the country.

Follow our companies on the social media networks and find out where is the next EcoEvent  near you.

More information about the Ecoeventos campaign at: https://egf.pt/en/sustainability/environmental-education/ecoevents/

Valorlis celebrates 25 years of existence

25 years with you, being part of the solution

Valorlis celebrated its 25 years of existence in a lunch with the collaborators, which took place last Saturday, September 10th. A celebration where we honoured the past and looked with pride to the present, glimpsing a challenging and promising future, under the motto: Valorlis, 25 years with you, being part of the solution.

 This commemoration was marked by the presentation of Valorlis' new institutional film, photographs of the company's history and the symbolic delivery of souvenirs to the collaborators, such as the "notebooks with history" made from the reuse of posters produced throughout 25 years of communication with the population.

Created in 1996, throughout this quarter of a century Valorlis has closed down the 4 existing dumps in the region, built a landfill for the treatment of urban waste, evolved towards a technical model for the valorisation of urban waste, through mechanical and biological treatment and installed a system for the collection and sorting of recyclable waste, consolidated with management and data acquisition systems.

It continues its evolution to the present day with the construction of a new treatment line for organic waste, such as food waste, whose selective collection will be implemented in the near future by Municipalities, and with the expansion of its activity of selective collection of packaging, paper/cardboard and glass.

 It has been 25 years working to achieve the goals of improving the environmental conditions of the region, providing a quality public service to the community in an economically sustainable way, and ensuring the social protection of its employees.

Valorlis has over 1780 ecopoints strategically distributed throughout the region for the deposit of recyclable waste, and also a fleet of 21 operational vehicles dedicated to selective collection and transport of waste. Valorlis transforms waste into resources: soil corrective, electrical energy and new recycled products.

In order to develop its activity, Valorlis currently has around 150 employees who ensure the functioning of its installations and the treatment and annual valorisation of 182 thousand tons of waste in its installations.

Marta Guerreiro, Valorlis' Delegated Administrato, underlines that "A company's success happens because there are competent professionals who accept the challenge to overcome obstacles and fight to guarantee the best management of the waste treated by Valorlis. Congratulations are due to all our employees and partners, who wear the shirt and carry out their work in an exemplary way, a joint work that makes a difference in the populations' day-to-day life".

And she adds "It is a pride to be an administrator of this company and to witness the great evolution in the treatment of waste in our region, as well as the improvement of working conditions" "Valorlis will continue to invest in the implementation of new solutions for the treatment and recovery of waste that incorporate social and environmental gains, contributing in a sustainable way to improve the quality of life of the populations".

Valorlis reinforces recycling

Valorlis invests 1,2 M€ in new vehicles

Valorlis is reinforcing the selective waste collection activity, through the acquisition of six new ecopoints selective collection vehicles, an investment of 1.2 million Euros.

Three of the foreseen vehicles are already at Valorlis service and the remaining vehicles will be received until the end of 2022, which will allow to increase the frequency of ecopoints collection and to improve the quality of the service provided to the population.

The new vehicles have a lowered cabin, aiming to facilitate the collection operations and reducing the employees' physical wear. This measure will substantially improve the working conditions of the operators who daily operate the equipment, in terms of comfort and safety.

The vehicles already have the new collection operations management system that will assimilate data and parameters in real time, through a digital platform, which, as a whole, will contribute to decision support for the selective collection of ecopoints activity.

In order to respond effectively to the growth in recyclable waste of paper/cardboard, plastic/metal packaging and glass deposited in the recycling points, Valorlis, besides the new equipment, is investing in the increase of human resources, having opened eight new vacancies for operators, drivers and technicians to support the selective collection operations.

Marta Guerreiro, Valorlis' Delegated Administrator, points out that "the acquisition of new vehicles for selective collection will contribute to an improvement in the service provided to the populations of the six counties within Valorlis' area of intervention and guarantee the recovery of recyclable waste in a more sustainable way".

Contest "Reuse Poetry, Recycle Words"

Valorlis presents Poetry Contest inspired on Recycling

Valorlis challenges the population to participate in the poetry contest "Reuse Poetry, Recycle Words", created to awaken the population to the importance of recycling through literary expression.

The contest is directed to writing and poetry lovers, older than 10 years old, residents in the six counties from Valorlis' intervention area (Batalha, Leiria, Marinha Grande, Ourém, Pombal and Porto de Mós).

How about going for a walk or shopping and carrying poetry? The winning poems will be printed by Valorlis, in a reusable bag, personalized and will be part of the bags collection with several quotes.

Reusable bags carry the recycling message, a good option to collect, offer or share.

All those interested in participating, should send the works until September 12, 2022, accompanied by the registration form. 

Consult the regulation and participate.

Mota-Engil Sustainability Report 2021

Under the topic “Acting for a Sustainable Future”, Mota Engil published the 2021 Sustainability Report, a publication to which EGF and the various Concessionaires contributed with specific information on their activity.
In this publication it is possible to find specific Environmental, Social and Economic information on the waste treatment and recovery activity, among other useful information on the various sectors in which Mota-Engil Group operates.

For more information and download: Mota-Engil Sustainability Report 2021

The EcoBeaches campaign is already "on the beach"!

With the arrival of summer and the increase of population in the bathing season (in the months between June and September), there is a relevant impact on waste production and, therefore, an important responsibility in fulfilling the national objectives on the promotion of circular economy and territorial enhancement.

The EcoBeaches Campaign has as its main focus promoting awareness actions that alert the population to recycle by the seaside, directing their waste to the right containers and diverting it from the oceans and landfills. The environmental awareness campaign is taking place on the beaches in the areas covered by Amarsul and Valorlis companies.

Participate and contribute for a cleaner beach!

Amarsul

In the beaches, the participants of holiday camps and other bathers will be made aware by monitors on the theme of the separation of recyclable materials.

During July and August, Recycle Bingo fans who check-in at the Ecopoints located at the exit of the beaches covered by the campaign will win 6 EcoMoedas and a Badge.

More information:

July 4 to 31 (9h/13h) - during the week at the sea beaches in Almada, Sesimbra and Setúbal.

August 6 to 28 (9h/13h) - weekdays at the river beaches: Alcochete (Praia dos Moinhos), Barreiro (Praia de Alburrica), Moita (Praia Gaio-Rosário) and Sesimbra (Lagoa de Albufeira)

*List of beaches covered: Albatroz, Lorosae, Leblon, Bicho d'Água, The Ocean Beach Bar, Kontiki, Pé Nu, Praia do CDS/Dr. Bernard, Praia do Tarquinio - Paraíso, Praia do Dragão Vermelho, Praia Nova / Espaço 20, Golfinho, Mata, Grão de Areia + Riviera, Casa do Sol + Rainha, Castelo (Manduca + Yamba), Cabana do Pescador (Delmare + Half Metro), Princesa, Rei (Hula Hula).

Morena (Water's Edge), Mermaid (Waikiki, Infante (Turtle), Bela Vista (Beach house, Terminus, Americano (Move On), Aroeira (Beach Bar), Beach Cabana, Rampa, Kailua, Oh, Ti João, Areias da Telha, Bambu

Valorlis

Valorlis is present in the region beaches, during August, with the campaign EcoBeaches.  The campaign EcoBeaches, carried out in partnership with the region's Town Halls, will have awareness-raising actions aimed at holiday camps and other holidaymakers, on the beaches: Praia Fluvial do Agroal (Ourém), Praia de São Pedro de Moel and Praia da Vieira de Leiria (Marinha Grande), Praia do Pedrogão (Leiria) and Praia do Osso da Baleia (Pombal). The Valorlis monitors will be near the entrance of each beach to sensitize the vacationers for the recycling theme, inviting the population to separate their residues correctly so that, at the end of the visit to the beach, the beach remains clean and the produced residues are sent to recycling.

During these actions, Recycle BinGo will be promoted, an application that works as a game, which aims to reward the good environmental performance of citizens. The main mission is to visit the usual recycling bin and separate your waste. By checking in, we unlock a set of nice little bugs, the EcoGifts, with which we fill our BinGo cards. The EcoCoins earned can be exchanged for prizes, such as discount vouchers at the supermarket and much more.

Besides this main mission, Recycle BinGo is launching special missions and during the month of August, by checking in one of the ecopoints of Valorlis EcoBeaches, the users have the possibility to win the double of the EcoCoins they usually earn.  

Amarsul starts today a new contact and support service to the citizens of its region - the Recycling Line, a PUBLIC, FREE and NATIONAL service that was created to provide effective responses to the citizen, namely to answer questions, requests for information, suggestions, complaints, compliments and service requests related to the collection and treatment of urban waste.

Service requests related to the collection and treatment of urban waste are now available in the areas where the concessionaires Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valnor, Valorlis, Valorminho operate, in a total of 155 municipalities, and will be progressively expanded very soon.

This service from the EGF Group has the following contacts available:

CONTACTS RECYCLING LINE

Freephone: 800 911 400

Website: www.linhadareciclagem.pt

Email: atendimento@linhadareciclagem.pt

The service line is open Monday to Friday from 9h00 to 20h00 and at the other end of the line you will find experienced operators who will help you with all your doubts and questions related to the waste and resources that we manage every day.

You can also use the new website with useful information and easier and more direct contact, allowing you to solve your questions effectively.

For more information on this initiative, please visit the website www.linhadareciclagem.pt

EGF and its concessionaires marked World Environment Day in various parts of the country, with environmental education and awareness initiatives in various locations.

Among the various initiatives, the highlights were the 2nd Environment Run, at Resinorte and a small concert as part of the "Plant a musician" project, at Resiestrela.

RESINORTE | 2nd Environment Run

To celebrate the World Environment Day, RESINORTE is joining, for the second consecutive year, Clube Atlético de Codessoso, Associação de Atletismo de Braga and Celorico de Basto Municipality in the organization of the 2nd Environment Run!

This race will be held on June 4 at the Resinorte facilities in Codessoso - Celorico de Basto and will be attended by several renowned athletes from the regional road championships.

The race will start at 3:15 p.m. with the start for the adapted half-mile, Down syndrome and ANDDI, followed by the remaining classes.

Take part!

RESIESTRELA | "Plant 1 musician

The World Environment Day is very important, being celebrated worldwide with the purpose of alerting to the environmental problems in our planet, such as serious changes in the environment, pollution and the loss of biodiversity, and to avoid the worsening of these problems, it is up to each one of us to adopt environmentally correct behaviours.

On June 5, watch on the social networks of Resiestrela a short concert recorded at the Resiestrela's Sorting Plant, held as part of the project "Plant 1 musician", of which Resiestrela is one of the partners of the Cultural Association of Beira Interior.

A concert in which the backdrop is composed of plastic and cardboard bales that were placed around the musicians in order to provide a unique sound.

Follow Resiestrela on social networks and see this wonderful concert.

We can leave a tip, Recycle Always, Everything and Everywhere, and do you know why?

Because the Future of Our Planet Is Not Recyclable.

Valorsul inaugurates a new transfer station and recycling centre in Torres Vedras.

Valorsul, EGF concessionaire, inaugurated today, in the municipality of Torres Vedras, the new Transfer Station and Ecocentre, which involved an investment of around 3 million Euros and will allow a reduction of over 160 thousand km/year in travelled distances, which represents a considerable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The event was attended by the Minister for the Environment and Climate Action, Duarte Cordeiro; the Mayor of Torres Vedras, Laura Rodrigues, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGF, Emídio Pinheiro, and the Chief Executive Officer of Valorsul, Marta Neves.

This investment results from a commitment between Valorsul and the Municipality of Torres Vedras, since the merger with Resioeste, and is assumed as a determinant for the efficiency of the waste collection services of the Municipality of Torres Vedras which, in 2019, presented an average capitation of tri-flux recyclables equivalent to 52kg/inhabitant/year.

The new Transfer Station has the capacity to receive 35,000 tonnes per year of common waste, as well as the capacity to receive recyclable waste, such as wood, plastics, paper and cardboard, glass, scrap metal, bulky waste and garden waste, at the Ecocentre, which can be delivered by the population.

Regarding this initiative, Marta Neves, President of the Executive Committee of the company, said that "the Torres Vedras station is one more step in Valorsul's approach to municipalities and citizens, always with the ambition of a better environmental performance, either in terms of recycling or in terms of treatment of the urban waste generated".

 For more information about this initiative, consult the website www.valorsul.pt 

Resinorte starts today a new contact and support service for citizens in its regions - the Recycling Line, a PUBLIC, FREE and NATIONAL service that was created to provide effective responses to citizens, namely to answer questions, requests for information, suggestions, complaints, compliments and service requests related to the collection and treatment of urban waste.

 Service requests related to the collection and treatment of urban waste are now available in the areas where the concessionaires Algar, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valnor, Valorlis, Valorminho and a total of 146 municipalities operate, and will be progressively extended to the remaining Group concessionaires very soon.

 The following contacts are available for this EGF Group service:

CONTACTS RECYCLING LINE

Freephone: 800 911 400

Website: www.linhadareciclagem.pt

Email: atendimento@linhadareciclagem.pt

The service line is open Monday to Friday from 9h00 to 20h00 and at the other end of the line you will find experienced operators who will help you with all your doubts and questions related to the waste and resources that we manage every day.

You can also use the new website with useful information and easier and more direct contact, allowing you to solve your questions effectively.

For more information on this initiative, please visit the website www.linhadareciclagem.pt 

Social institutions that recycled the most in 2021 receive awards

More than EUR 500,000 in social support

214 social institutions participated in the campaign Tons of Help in 2021 - the campaign aimed at social institutions and available in about 60% of the national territory. More than 74,000 people, despite the pandemic, implemented good waste reduction and reuse practices and recycled 3,779 tonnes of packaging, significantly surpassing the 2020 figures.

All these institutions forwarded for recycling 2,852 tonnes of paper and cardboard, 859 tonnes of plastic, metal and drink packs and 68 tonnes of glass. The material separated by the institutions was forwarded for recycling and each entity receives its prize according to the amount of packaging separated for recycling, which this year reached a record of 506,158 euros.

TOP + | National Champions

At a national level, we should highlight APPACDM da Trofa, in first place with 689 tons, followed by the Algarve Food Bank (423 tons) and the Food Bank of Setúbal (238 tons). These were the winning institutions, recognised by EGF and the concessionaire of their region.

 TOP+ Regional Champions

Each concessionaire also distinguishes the institutions that recycle the most in each region, and the results of which are published.

Tons of Help Campaign

The Tons of Help social responsibility campaign consists in valuing all recyclable waste that the registered social institutions wish to deliver, namely plastic, metal, paper, cardboard and glass packaging, in exchange for financial compensation.

More information about this initiative on this link: www.egf.pt/pt/sustentabilidade/educacao-ambiental/toneladas-de-ajuda/ 

EGF Group rewards schools that recycled the most in 2021

884 schools from the North to the South of the country participated

In 2021, 884 schools took part in the Ecovalor Programme - the environmental education programme dedicated exclusively to the school community and available in about 60% of the country. There were around 274,460 students, teachers and assistants who, despite the pandemic, implemented good waste reduction and reuse practices and recycled 2,458 tonnes of packaging.

All these schools sent for recycling 1,684 tonnes of paper and cardboard, 609 tonnes of plastic, metal and drink packs and 255 tonnes of glass. The material sorted by the students was sent for recycling and each school receives its prize according to the amount recycled, for a total of 122,896 euros.

At national level, the Monte - Vila Nova de Gaia School came first with 26 tonnes, followed by the Children's Centre of Faro Hospital (23 tonnes) and the EB1/JI Conceição de Faro School (21 tonnes). These were the winning schools of the 19th edition of the programme, which is already being prepared for the 2022-2023 school year.

TOP+ | Regional Champions

Each concessionary also distinguishes the schools that recycle the most in each region, and the results of which are published.

Ecovalor Programme

The Ecovalor Programme aims to promote good environmental practices in educational establishments, rewarding those with the best performance in recycling their used packaging. In addition to awareness-raising actions (also available online), this programme ensures selective collection, delivers bags and media and includes the Separate and Win competition - for each bag of packaging sent to the yellow recycling bin, the school will receive €0.50. The values associated to the recycling of paper/cardboard and glass are specific to some regions, which have already taken the step to recycle more materials.

More information about this initiative on this link: www.egf.pt/pt/sustentabilidade/educacao-ambiental/programa-ecovalor/ 

Algar starts today a new service of contact and support to citizens in their regions - the Recycling Line, a PUBLIC, FREE and NATIONAL service that was created to give effective answers to the citizen, namely to answer questions, requests for information, suggestions, complaints, compliments and service requests related to the collection and treatment of urban waste.

The service requests related to the collection and treatment of urban waste are now available in the areas where the Algar, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resulima, Suldouro, Valnor, Valorlis, Valorminho concessionaires operate, in a total of 111 municipalities, and will be progressively extended to the remaining concessionaires of the Group very soon.

The following contacts are available for this EGF Group service:

CONTACTS RECYCLING LINE

Freephone: 800 911 400

Website: www.linhadareciclagem.pt

Email: atendimento@linhadareciclagem.pt

The service line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm and at the other end of the line you will find experienced operators who will help you with all your queries and questions relating to the waste and resources we manage every day.

You can also use the new website with useful information and easier and more direct contact, enabling you to solve your queries effectively.

For more information on this initiative, please visit www.linhadareciclagem.pt

The International Symposium on Integral Management of Solid Waste, it take place on April 28 in Guadalajara, Mexico, dedicated to waste management and the circular economy.

EGF is represented by Ana Loureiro, Communications Director and Member of the Board of ISWA.

During these days, the meeting of the ISWA Board - international Solid Waste Association is also taking place.

This meeting is closed meeting for members of the board of ISWA.

The host is ISWA’s National Member in Mexico DS Latinoamericana, in cooperation with Colegio de Jalisco and the Guadalajara Municipality.

For more information click on:

https://www.iswa.org/event/international-symposium-on-integral-management-of-solid-waste/?v=35357b9c8fe4

www.iswa.org/event/meeting-iswa-board-2/?v=35357b9c8fe4

Valorsul achieved the best year ever in recycling, having recorded an increase of 9,900 tons of recyclable materials, compared to 2020.

In 2021, more than 95 thousand tons of glass, paper/cardboard, as well as plastic/metal packaging were valued at Valorsul's Sorting Centers. The separation of plastic and metal showed the highest growth (14%) compared to the previous year, followed by paper/cardboard with 12% and glass with a further 9%.

Valorsul ended 2021, with an annual capitation of 55 kg of packaging waste separated per inhabitant, and together with its 19 Municipalities, continues to exceed national targets.

Goal accomplished. In 2021, Valorsul deposited only 2% of the waste received in landfills.

The landfill disposal target was set at 10% of the waste received for treatment and Valorsul deposited only 2% of the total waste that entered its facilities. As this is an end-of-line option in waste management, Valorsul, by integrating environmental responsibility into its daily activity, remains committed to minimizing this deposition. This significant reduction in the placement of waste in landfills is extremely important for achieving the goal of reducing the disposal of biodegradable waste in landfills.

More energy, more value in the treatment of undifferentiated waste.

In 2021, exports to the national electricity grid were around 350 million KWh, an increase of 19% compared to 2020. The biggest contribution came from the Energy Recovery Plant, which exported around 327 million KWh to the national electricity grid. This iconic installation of Valorsul, which has already completed 27 years of operation, has a significant expression in the energy recovery of waste in our country.

The results obtained in 2021 reveal that we are recycling and doing better.

The 2021 performance with the million euros of investment in its investment plan reveals the commitment made to citizens and the search for investment in investment solutions, for also the application of the application of a public service of excellence. Highlight for the investment in the construction of the new Ecocentro de Torres Vedras, in the amount of 2.8 million euros.

The results obtained, but we have the demanding task, that a selective approach to their waste waste and treatment, which will imply an optimized coordination between a value and its municipalities to, jointly, fulfill the new community goals that are coming.

On the 7th and 8th of April, the Great Conference Business Sustainability 2030 was held at Pestana Cidadela Cascais, promoted by Jornal de Negócios, where the winners of the 8 ESG categories for the «National Sustainability Award» were also announced.

EGF, represented by Emídio Pinheiro, President of EGF, presented on April 8 the Group's projects and ambitions for digital transformation in Sustainability.

In a particularly demanding year for the future of humanity, the debate and recognition of the best examples of Sustainability continues to be in the spotlight.

See or review the talks of the event here https://sustainability.negocios.pt/talks/ 

The International Sustainability, Resources & Technology conference is taking place this week in Oman, dedicated to waste and resource management.

EGF is represented by Ana Loureiro, Communications Director and Member of the ISWA, representing national members, as a speaker at the panels on the Behavior Change and Social Innovation Through Communication and Future of Waste Management, but also as a moderator on the Planning for Success - Ambitious Goals in Solid Waste Management.

This conference takes place in the country where Ecovision/Suma, owned by the Mota-Engil Group, operates.

Go to the link for more information about the event: https://www.isrtconference.com/

The app Recycle BinGo won an award at the 6th edition of the Portugal Digital Awards 2021, in the Best Professional and Consumer Services Project category.

The Portugal Digital Awards is a joint initiative of IDC and Axians that aims to recognize and reward the excellence of associations, such as their teams and business leaders who, with vision and audacity, lead to the digital transformation of their businesses, processes, products or services and, consequently, of society as we know it.

The award congratulation took place on the 14th of December, in the evening, at the Awards Ceremony - Portugal Digital Awards 2021.

The Recycle BinGo game was considered the best digital transformation project in the Services sector.

You can watch the moment  from 1h46 minutes and celebrate this recognition with the EGF group and Djomba. Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msXPCdkDLYs

Discover all the winners of the 6th edition of the Portugal Digital Awards here.: https://idcportugal.com/portugal-digital-awards-2021/vencedores/

See also the presentation of the app Recycle BinGO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5iDLlvueow

Antonis Mavropoulos is speaker at an EGF event.

EGF, in partnership with FNAC Portugal, will organize a unique event,  free of charge and open to the general public, on the topic of waste management.

On December 15th, at 11:00 am, at the Fnac Auditorium in Colombo, we will receive Antonis Mavropoulos, founder and CEO of D-Waste and former President of ISWA, for the presentation of his latest book.

A champion of science activism and human rights, Antonis Mavropoulos will present his latest book, Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: Towards a Wasteless Future or a Wasteful Planet?, which he co-authored with Anders Waage Nilsen, which was released in 2020.

Come and get to know how the man who is one of the most influential researchers in the area of ​​resource and waste management, the circular economy and its relationship with industry 4.0 thinks.

Seats are allocated in order of arrival and subject to the maximum capacity of the room. It is mandatory to wear a mask, present a vaccination certificate or a negative test to Covid19.

Please consult the agenda to know the event's program in detail:

11:00 am: Welcome – Ana Loureiro, EGF Communication Director

11:10 am: Intervention - Lígia Pinto, President of APESB: Portuguese Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering

11:20 am: Intervention – Marta Neves, Executive Director of EGF

11:30 am: Book presentation "Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: Towards a Wasteless Future Or a Wasteful Planet?" - Antonis Mavropoulos, Co-Author

11:45 am: Questions and Answers

Go to the link for more information about the event https://www.facebook.com/events/950364255883603

Antonis Mavropoulos

Antonis Mavropoulos is the founder and CEO of D-Waste consultants. He is a member of the International Advisory Board of UNEP’s International Environmental Technologies Centre, and he serves as a strategy advisor for the Let’s Do It and SEAQUAL foundations. He has served for 4 years as the President of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) and 8 years as the Chair of ISWA Scientific and Technical Committee.

He has been involved in solid waste management projects for 25 years in 30 countries and he has extensive experiences working with both the public and the private sector. He has invented the Waste Atlas, and he has designed several information systems and mobile apps for resource recovery purposes.

His recent book “Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy” (co-authored with Anders Waage Nilsen) deals with the dynamics between the on-going fourth industrial revolution and the challenge of circular economy.

Several of his works have been translated into Arabic, Chinese, Hindu, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, and Spanish and a lot of them can be found on-line at his blog https://wastelessfuture.com

Last but not least, he believes in scientific activism, he is a human rights advocate and a jazz lover. 

The book: https://wastelessfuture.com/thebook/

Interesting project of which he was the founder: http://www.atlas.d-waste.com/

EGF participates on the 18th of November in the Portugal Smart Cities.

The “Smart Cities” Concept is much more than mobility, digital platforms or sustainability. The main objective of a Smart City is the incorporation of all these areas in order to improve the lives of citizens around the world.

PORTUGAL SMART CITIES SUMMIT is the place of convergence and the physical marketplace for creating opportunities for the national and international market.

This year, the event will take place between the 16th and 18th of November, at FIL - Lisbon International Fair and will feature skills, facilities, pitches, companies, universities, startups, city councils and much more debates.

EGF will be present on November 18, on a morning dedicated to Waste, Environment and Sustainability.

Check the program and participate in this debate:

Opening Session: Inês dos Santos Costa, Secretary of State for the Environment

11:45 am - 12:05 pm: Opening

Moderator: Emídio Pinheiro, Director of Mota-Engil Ambiente e Serviços and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGF

12:05 - 12:20: From green growth to the circular economy: waste management as a catalyst for change

Antonis Mavropoulos, former President of ISWA and CEO of D-Waste

12:20 - 12:30: RRRCICLO Circular Economy of Guimarães

Dalila Sepúlveda, Head of the Urban Services Division at the Guimarães City Council

12:30 - 12:40: LixeiraGo - The game that gives prizes to those who recycle

Ana Loureiro, Communication Director at EGF

12:40 - 13:00: Questions and Answers

For more information and pre-registration click on www.portugalsmartcities.fil.pt 

You can watch the event in streaming at: https://www.youtube.com/user/FILCanal 

EGF supports and participates on the 10th and 11th of November in the 15th National Waste Forum, a national event organized by the Jornal Água e Ambiente, at the SANA Malhoa Hotel, in Lisbon.

This is a landmark event sponsored by EGF and with the participation of 3 speakers who will represent EGF in the discussion panels dedicated to the fulfillment of ambitious recycling targets, the start of the selective collection of bio-waste on a national scale or the end of landfill at 10% by 2035.

interventions by Marta Neves, Executive Administrator, Marta Correia, Head of the Legal Area and Filipa Pantaleão, Head of Technical Management will mark EGF's presence at the event.

Participate and see the full event program here http://www.ambienteonline.pt/15-forum-residuos/programa

Today, EGF started a new contact and support service for citizens – the Recycling Line, a PUBLIC, FREE and NATIONAL service that was created to provide effective answers to citizens, namely to answer questions, requests for information, suggestions, complaints, compliments and service requests.

Service requests related to the collection and treatment of urban waste are still only available in the areas of operation of the Resiestrela and Valnor concessionaires, in a total of 39 municipalities, and will be progressively extended to all 11 of the Group's concessionaires very soon.

This new EGF Group service, which starts today, has the following contacts available:

CONTACTS RECYCLING LINE

Toll Free: 800 911 400

Website: www.linhadareciclagem.pt

Email: attendance@linhadareciclagem.pt

The helpline is open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, and on the other side of the line you will find experienced operators who will help you with all the queries and issues you need help with relating to the waste and resources we manage every day. You will also be able to use the new website with useful information and easier and more direct contact, which will allow you to effectively resolve your queries.

For more information about this initiative, see the website www.linhadareciclagem.pt

Valorlis offers domestic composters to the population

Applications open to obtain a composter

Valorlis will expand its domestic composting program through the distribution of 4,500 composters, which will be delivered to the population in its area of ​​intervention in 2022, through participation in an awareness-raising action.

The expansion of the program comes with the objective of contributing to the diversion of biodegradable urban waste from landfills, as well as responding to requests and expressions of interest from citizens, and will be promoted in close partnership with Municipalities and Parish Councils.

All families who have a small outdoor space in their home (garden, backyard or vegetable garden) residing in the municipalities of Batalha, Leiria, Marinha Grande, Pombal, Porto de Mós and Ourém and who have one can participate in the Composting program developed by Valorlis. household equal to or greater than 2 people.

Residents interested in obtaining a free composter must register using the form available at www.valorlis.pt by November 30, 2021. Afterwards, citizens are invited to participate in a mandatory awareness-raising action and receive the composter.

«We recognize the potential of the practice of domestic composting, in terms of valuing organic matter and raising the population's awareness of healthy and environmentally-friendly practices» says the Managing Director of Valorlis, Marta Loia Guerreiro. And he adds, "With this project, we intend to provide conditions for citizens to recycle the waste they produce in their homes, with economic and environmental benefits for all."

Domestic Composting is a natural process for recycling organic matter, which allows the use of waste from the kitchen and garden and transform it into a nutrient-rich fertilizer called compost. When used, the compost improves the characteristics of the soil, reduces the amount of chemical fertilizers and reduces the amount of water needed for irrigation.

If you have a garden, yard or vegetable garden, home composting is ideal for you!

The Domestic Composting Project launched in 2007 by Valorlis marked a new and significant stage in the effort to reduce waste deposited in landfills, enabling the recovery of 19,590 tons of waste, through the use of 8,836 composters, which were distributed free of charge in the actions of training carried out. 205 training actions in Domestic Composting were carried out in 62 parishes of the six municipalities in the area of ​​influence of Valorlis and 3,000 monitoring, counseling and intervention visits were carried out with families that own a composter.

Valorsul, in partnership with SIMARs in Loures and Odivelas, will launch an innovative project for selective collection. Entitled “Contentão, a container with a big heart” it aims to involve local communities in recycling, guarantee the separation of their waste and, through a dynamic of conversion into financial support, help an association in their parish.

In practice, Contentão is a large space where families and businesses can deliver their recyclables, knowing that all the material correctly separated will revert to a local association.

The first phase of the project starts in October in the parishes of Bucelas and Odivelas. The associations to which financial support will be channeled during the first year have also been selected by the project's jury. In the parish of Bucelas, the Grupo Musical e Recreativo da Bemposta will be a partner, a 70-year-old community that, among other things, keeps the local culture and tradition alive. In Odivelas, it will be the Association of Residents of Colinas do Cruzeiro, which promises to streamline the separation of recyclables in the neighborhood and the parish, thus raising funds to carry out its mission.

Contentão continues Valorsul's strategy of combining the company's growth with its social responsibility, at a time when most associations are facing difficulties due to the pandemic. This project can contribute annually with values ​​of up to 7,500€. And the amount to be allocated to each association will be directly related to the quantity and correct separation of recyclables in this new equipment, throughout the year.

Through the population's adhesion to this pilot project, Contentão will be able to reach “with its big heart” to all the parishes of Loures and Odivelas.

Amarsul continues to promote the social responsibility campaign TONS OF HELP, which is being expanded at all EGF concessionaires and is aimed at all social support organizations (IPSS) located in the concessionaires' intervention area.

This campaign aims to value all recyclable waste that registered institutions want to deliver to Amarsul, namely plastic, metal, paper, cardboard and glass packaging, in exchange for a financial contribution.

To promote the initiative, Amarsul and the Setúbal Food Bank Against Hunger signed a protocol in January 2021.

The Food Bank Against Hunger, from Setúbal, in the first half of the campaign, delivered 97,200 kg of paper/cardboard, 3,130 kg of plastic/metal and 140 kg of glass at Amarsul's facilities. The Food Bank supports 202 institutions in the 14 municipalities in its area of ​​intervention, which runs from Almada to Odemira, 176 of which are located on the Setúbal Peninsula, which also participate and contribute to the separation and delivery of recyclable packaging waste. The financial contribution will be used to purchase food to reinforce baskets of families supported by the institution.

RECYCLE AND HELP THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST!

HOW DOES THE TONS OF HELP CAMPAIGN WORK?

This new Campaign consists of valuing all the recyclable waste that institutions want to deliver to Amarsul, namely, plastic and metal packaging, paper and cardboard and glass packaging.

To participate, you must register with Amarsul via email comunicacao@amarsul.pt. After receiving the data, a customer form will be opened which will act as a current account for each institution in order to quantify the weight of the material delivered, and a weighing slip will then be made available.

WHERE?

The materials must be delivered directly to Amarsul's facilities, namely: Ecoparque do Seixal – Sorting Center, Ecoparque de Setúbal or Eco-transfer of Sesimbra (locations and times available at https://www.amarsul.pt/pt/ contacts/facilities/).

The initiative has gained support from the population and from various local entities, which with the gesture of separating waste ensure its recycling and contribute to helping those who need it most.

EGF brought to Portugal the 3rd ISWA communication prize, awarded during the World Congress that is taking place in Athens, Greece.

The campaign has been awarded in several forums, and its performance is now internationally recognized. For more information about this campaign, click HERE

Second prize was awarded to Oman and first to China.

For more information about the ISWA Awards, click HERE

The 3rd edition 2020/2021 of the Ecovalor Program, in the area covered by Amarsul, had the participation of 80 registered educational establishments, reaching a universe of participation of 55,000 students. With this program, we guarantee that the recyclable waste collected returns to the production cycle and becomes raw material, while the schools are awarded for good environmental performance.

In this edition, schools valued 139,604 kg of recyclable materials, with 48,529 kg of plastic and metal packaging, 85,602 kg of paper and cardboard and 5,478 kg of glass packaging. It should be noted that this being an atypical school year, due to COVID-19, in which schools were part of the school year in non-presential education, they showed a special involvement and interest in recycling. Congratulations to all: Municipalities, Schools, Institutions and all those who committed to separating.

To increase adherence to the programs, Amarsul provided equipment for selective disposal, namely, ecobags for classrooms, metal supports and bags for the outside areas of the school grounds, as well as training.

The Ecovalor program distinguishes educational establishments and institutions that separate larger amounts of waste in 3 competitions. This year, “Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Almada” won first place in the Separa and Win in the Yellow and Blue competitions, while the Separa and Win in the Green competition was won by the “FCT - Faculty of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova of Lisbon”.

Amarsul is preparing the 4th edition of the ‘Separa e Ganha’ contests. All schools that are interested in sending their application forward, we invite you to fill in the membership form to guarantee your place. All information is already available at www.amarsul.pt.

VALORMINHO, in partnership with the Municipality of Caminha, will dynamize at the Caminha and Vila Praia de Âncora market, the environmental awareness action, Mercado a Reciclar, this Wednesday, August 11th and on Thursday, August 12th.

This innovative campaign aims to encourage the separation of recyclables in the markets, which will allow them to be sent for recycling, avoiding dispersion and promoting the recovery of recyclable waste.

With this campaign, VALORMINHO intends to award the “Mercado a Reciclar” award to participating markets, which stand out for their commitment to reducing the environmental impact resulting from the market, promoting the proper management of waste.

During the morning of Wednesday and Thursday, a team from Valorminho and the municipality of Caminha will be at the Mercado/fair of Caminha and Vila Praia de Âncora to raise awareness and motivate traders for the correct separation of recyclables.

This campaign arises from the dynamics of VALORMINHO's proximity to its municipalities, in the resolution of common problems and contributes to an active citizenship in the field of sustainable development and to the construction of a more efficient society in the use of its resources.

The Action in the Market of Caminha and Vila Praia de Âncora is a partnership between VALORMINHO and the Municipality of Caminha and also has the collaboration of the company Luságua.

VALORMINHO, in partnership with the Municipality of Valença, is going to promote in the Valença Market, the environmental awareness action, Mercado a Reciclar, this Wednesday, August 11th.

This innovative campaign aims to encourage the separation of recyclables in the markets, which will allow them to be sent for recycling, avoiding dispersion and promoting the recovery of recyclable waste.

With this campaign, VALORMINHO intends to award the “Mercado a Reciclar” award to participating markets, which stand out for their commitment to reducing the environmental impact resulting from the market, promoting the proper management of waste.

During the morning, a Valorminho team will be at the Valença Market to sensitize and motivate traders for the correct separation of recyclables.

This campaign arises from the dynamics of VALORMINHO's proximity to its municipalities, in the resolution of common problems and contributes to an active citizenship in the field of sustainable development and to the construction of a more efficient society in the use of its resources.

The Action in the Market of Valença is a partnership between VALORMINHO and the Municipality of Valença and also has the collaboration of the company ECOAMBIENTE.

The Dolphin that represents the movement “The Future of the Planet is not recyclable”, is traveling the Setúbal Peninsula. After the success at Almada Forum, as of August 7, it will be possible to visit this sculpture, which was produced from marine litter, at Casa da Baía in Setúbal, in an initiative promoted by Amarsul and the Municipality of Setúbal.

This living room in the Setúbal region includes an exhibition gallery and the Sado Estuary Bottlenose Dolphin Interpretative Center, created with the aim of enhancing and disseminating knowledge about the Sadina dolphin community.

Admission to the “Dolphin Jumping Out of Water” exhibition is free and the space is available to the public every day from 9:30 am to 8:00 pm.

Recycle Bingo Promotion

Amarsul continues to invite all Recycle BinGo users who are on the beaches of its intervention area, to recycle by the sea during the summer! And check-in at Casa da Baía, in Setúbal, next to the famous sculpture of the Dolphin of Xico Gaivota. Users have the possibility to win 1 badge + 6 Ecomoedas (double what is normally given) and can still qualify for a special prize. The app is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Dolphin Technical Data

With approximately 2.5 m in height and around 150 kg, this work was developed by Xico Gaivota exclusively with unhandled waste fragments and without the use of any glue or paint during its production. All materials that the artist uses in his pieces are collected by himself from non-concessioned beaches on the Portuguese coast. The work developed is part of the “The Future of the Planet is not recyclable” campaign, which shows what happens to waste after it is separated in recycling bins and aims to raise awareness among the Portuguese, leading them to adopt appropriate environmental behavior in order to protect the planet. The process is simple: reduce, reuse and recycle.

For more information about the friendliest game on the planet, visit: www.recyclebingo.pt

To see the making of the creation of the piece, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A8_FoebR_A

More information about the artist at www.xicogaivota.com

More information about the campaign at www.egf.pt/o-futuro-do-planeta-nao-e-reciclavel/

Valorlis will be present on the region's beaches, during the month of August, with the Eco Beaches campaign. The Eco Beaches campaign, carried out in partnership with the region's municipalities, will feature awareness-raising actions aimed at vacationers and the HORECA channel, commerce and services.

Valorlis teams will be at the entrance of each beach to distribute paper bags and invite the population to correctly separate their waste so that, at the end of the trip to the beach, it remains clean and the waste produced sent for recycling.

This initiative also includes awareness-raising actions with commercial establishments and the HORECA channel, where existing recycling points will be made known and questions answered about the correct separation of waste.

During these actions, Recycle BinGo will be promoted, an application that works like a game, which aims to reward the good environmental performance of citizens. The main mission is to visit the usual recycling point and sort your waste. When we check-in, we unlock a set of cute little animals, the EcoGifts, with which we fill our BinGo cards. Earned EcoCoins can be exchanged for prizes such as supermarket discount vouchers and much more.

In addition to this main mission, Recycle BinGo will be launching special missions, and during the month of August, by checking-in at one of the Ecopraias Valorlis ecopoints, users have the possibility of earning double the Ecomoedas that they usually earn.

Marta Loia Guerreiro, CEO of Valorlis, explains “With this initiative, Valorlis intends to encourage the population to adopt recycling habits during leisure time, recalling the importance of not leaving waste in the sand and sending it for recycling”. And he adds "We are committed to ensuring that the recovery of waste produced on the beaches in the region continues to be carried out in the most sustainable way and we count on the help of the population".

Calendar of actions:

For more information about the friendliest game on the planet, visit www.recyclebingo.pt and follow the initiative on the social networks Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin.

The Ecovalor Program aims to promote good environmental practices in educational establishments, rewarding those who perform better in recycling their used packaging.

CONTEST SEPARATES AND WIN!

The contest “Separate and win”, which is part of this project, aims to reward schools that recycle their used packaging.

This initiative benefits schools by giving them logistical support (supports for bags, sacks and selective collection), in addition to awareness-raising actions carried out by environmental action monitors.

With the suspension of face-to-face activities in schools between January and March this year, many of the actions scheduled with schools were transferred to ONLINE.

There were 94 educational establishments that participated in the Ecovalor Program for the 2020/21 academic year, with more than 31 thousand participants, including students, teachers and assistants who, despite the pandemic, implemented good waste reduction and reuse practices and recycled 588 tons of packaging.

All these schools sent to recycle 216 tons of paper and cardboard, 210 tons of glass and 162 tons of plastic, metal and beverage packages. Material separated by students was sent for recovery and each school will receive its prize based on the amount recycled.

Algar will award prizes to schools for each ton of plastic/metal, paper/cardboard and glass, which educational establishments managed to send for recycling, during the 2020/21 school year.

Some of the schools that participated in ECOVALOR, in addition to recyclable packaging, also dedicated themselves to the separation of waste electrical and electronic equipment, the result of a partnership between Algar and Eletrão, which resulted in a total of 21,067 kg sent for recovery. These schools will receive an extra bonus for their performance.

I WANT TO REGISTER MY SCHOOL IN THE ECOVALOR PROGRAM AND PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTEST “SEPARA E WANHA”. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

The “Separa e Win” contest will be held in the next school year. Algar is already receiving applications from schools that wish to anticipate sending their application by filling out the membership form to guarantee their place. If your school wishes to proceed in the same way, you can find more information on our website (www.algar.com.pt) and/or contact us directly through the Hotline 800 203 251 | Email gci@algar.com.pt.

Caption: The data shown in the graph above refer to the municipalities that joined the “Separa e Ganha” 2020/21 school competition.

The plastic artist Xico Gaivota joined the movement “The Future of the Planet is not Recyclable” and created the sculpture of a dolphin, from marine litter, as it is one of the most iconic marine species, thus attracting the attention of more Portuguese people to the recycling. The exhibition of this work will take place free of charge, at the Almada Forum, from July 10th to August 5th, during the opening hours of the shopping centre, in an initiative promoted by Amarsul and the Municipality of Almada.

After this date, the play will continue touring in various spaces across the country.

With approximately 2.5 m in height and around 150 kg, this work was developed exclusively with unhandled waste fragments and without the use of any glue or paint during its production. All the materials that the artist uses in his pieces are collected by himself from non-concessioned beaches on the Portuguese coast.

Xico Gaivota is usually recognized for his interventions to raise awareness and global awareness of the waste in the sea. For several years he has been traveling for miles along national beaches, from north to south, collecting plastics and other materials that become the raw material for his original creations, where the theme of marine animals is constant.

The work developed is thus part of the campaign “The Future of the Planet is not Recyclable”, which shows what happens to waste after it is separated in recycling bins and aims to raise awareness among the Portuguese, leading them to adopt appropriate environmental behaviors, in the sense to protect the planet. The process is simple: reduce, reuse and recycle.

During the exhibition period at Almada Forum, Amarsul joined Recycle BinGo, an app that will have a special Eco Beaches promotion, for all who download the app available on the App Store and Google Play and check-in with the Dolphin. Users have the possibility to win 1 badge + 6 Ecomoedas (double what is normally given) and can still qualify for a special prize.

For more information about the friendliest game on the planet, visit: www.recyclebingo.pt

To see the making of the creation of the piece, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A8_FoebR_A

More information about the artist at www.xicogaivota.com

More information about the campaign at www.egf.pt/o-futuro-do-planeta-nao-e-reciclavel/

As part of its communication and environmental awareness strategy, RESINORTE has just launched awareness-raising actions aimed at the Occupation of Free Time programs in the municipalities in its area of ​​intervention.

These awareness actions aim to reinforce, with the young community, the role of recycling and raise awareness of the importance of the correct separation of urban waste.

With the use of educational games alluding to the theme, the participatory and critical spirit of the participants is thus encouraged, changing and raising awareness of the environmental problems that affect our planet.

The themes presented in this initiative are based on Reduction, Reuse and Recycling, replacing the end of life concept with the circular economy.

As Amarsul is the company responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban solid waste, and a reference in the environmental sector in the Setúbal peninsula region, it is back with the Amarsul Eco Beaches campaign, to ensure that the recovery of waste produced on the region's beaches continue to be carried out in the most sustainable way.

In the months of July and August, Amarsul will be present in 41 beaches of the Setúbal Peninsula, with a campaign that aims to sensitize the population to the importance of recycling by the sea, by the river, always and everywhere.

The Amarsul Eco Beaches campaign, carried out in partnership with the municipalities of the region, will feature awareness actions, at the entrance of each beach, in which Amarsul teams will distribute paper bags and invite the population to correctly separate their waste so that , at the end of the trip to the beach, it remains clean.

Everyone can and should use the recycling bins to separate plastic/metal, paper/cardboard and glass packaging and contribute to a better environment.

With this initiative, Amarsul intends to sensitize, especially, groups that spontaneously organize meetings on the beach and that end up producing a lot of waste. As these wastes are not placed in the correct container, namely the glass containers, which are deposited in the common garbage, they cannot be recovered and recycled. It intends to remember the rules of separation, so as not to forget not to leave waste on the beach, thus diverting it from the landfill and the oceans.

Amarsul will have a special Eco Beaches promotion, as it has joined Recycle BinGo, an app that uses geolocation to check when a user is near their Ecopoint, rewarding them on each visit. The user collects EcoMoedas, which he can then exchange for prizes (such as EcoBags, supermarket discount vouchers, stores, multimedia content, among others.).

During the months of awareness actions in July and August, when checking-in at one of the Ecopraias Amarsul ecopoints, users have the possibility of earning 1 badge + 6 Ecomoedas (double what is normally given) and can still qualify to a special prize. Just install Recycle BinGo which is available on the App Store and Google Play. And now it's about helping us spread the recycling bug. We count on everyone!

For more information about the friendliest game on the planet and the beaches covered, visit www.recyclebingo.pt, follow the campaign on www.amarsul.pt and on the social networks Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin.

EGF, represented by Ana Loureiro, participated on the 25th of June in the PITCH CHALLENGE of the Recognition of Practices in Social Responsibility and Sustainability, organized by the Portuguese Association of Shows and Events Professionals.

This session was given the opportunity to Portuguese organizations that are candidates for the 7th Edition of the Recognition of Practices in Social Responsibility and Sustainability to present their projects and achieved results.

Watch the presentation from 1:10:13 here.

Resulima, represented by Rui Silva, Executive Director of the company, participated on July 1, in the III NATIONAL MEETING OF URBAN CLEANSING with the theme “Biowaste: Augmented Reality”.

Organized by the Urban Cleaning Association - Partnerships for Smarter and Sustainable Cities is an initiative dedicated to the theme of urban cleaning carried out in Portugal and brings together municipalities from north to south of the country, municipal companies, equipment and service providers, State entities, educational and research institutions, private waste management companies.

Watch the video of the conference here.

The “Let's Clean Europe” movement emerged in 2015 and has been followed by Valorsul since the beginning. This movement aims to sensitize citizens to environmental issues, in particular to waste abandoned in natural spaces and the need to clean these spaces.

The 2021 edition of this project runs from May 9th to November 28th, 2021 and Valorsul is once again the coordinating entity of this initiative for its 19 municipalities. If you want to make a difference and participate in this movement, you can count on Valorsul's support.

This year's “Let's Clean Europe” project has a longer duration, to give all those interested the opportunity to organize climate-compatible cleaning events, always respecting the restrictions imposed by the pandemic situation.

In 2021, for the first time, it is possible to organize and register plogging actions - a sport that is good for health and the environment by combining running with garbage collection: it encourages people to exercise and also to collect garbage during its practice, with the objective of making spaces cleaner.

More information about this European-wide initiative is available on Valorsul's website, including the registration of cleaning actions.

Everyone can participate and organize an action, from groups of neighbors, individually, municipalities, companies, schools, associations, etc.

Emídio Pinheiro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGF, spoke with Jornal de Negócios on Sustainability.

«For Emídio Pinheiro, sustainability must be part of our DNA, “it makes no sense to develop new activities that are not completely influenced by sustainability systems, in which we have to save on resources, be more efficient, innovative, close to the citizens, enhance people, all that is included in these Sustainable Development Goals.”

See the full interview here.

Resiestrela - Management, Valorization and Treatment of Urban Waste in the municipalities of Almeida, Belmonte, Celorico da Beira, Covilhã, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Fornos de Algodres, Fundão, Guarda, Butters, Meda, Penamacor, Pinhel, Sabugal and Trancoso launches competition called “Youth and the Environment”.

This competition aims to enhance young people's artistic skills, promote debate on the topic of recycling and contribute to clarifying doubts about the separation of recyclable waste, through the making of videos with the theme of the environment / recycling, which will be published and voted on Resiestrela's Facebook.

Despite all the constraints caused by the Covid19 Pandemic, a Resiestrela recognizes the importance of implementing communication actions that encourage young people to participate in actions promoted by Resiestrela, without putting their health and safety at risk.

With the participation of Free Time Activities, promoted by Municipalities, schools or private entities. This contest will provide several fun moments for children and young people, so that they can abstract the problem that plagues us right now.

The dynamics of the action will be developed as follows:

Recipients: Free Time Activities, promoted by Municipalities, schools or private entities, from the 14 Municipalities in the area covered by Resiestrela.

Typology: Video with the Environment / Recycling theme.

Enrollment: Send the Enrollment Form to comunicacao@resiestrela.pt until July 6th, 2021.

Reception of works: Videos must be sent by the 15th of July 2021.

Selection of Works / Prizes: the videos in the competition will be published and voted on on Resiestrela's Facebook page (22 to 30 July 2021). The winner will be announced on social media on August 4, 2021.

Prize: The winning video will receive as a prize T-shirts “THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET IS NOT RECYCLING”, Tattoos “THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET IS NOT RECYCLING” and Flyers and deviated aut with the rules of waste separation.

On June 5th, World Environment Day, RESINORTE promoted the 1st Environment Race, at the company's premises in Codessoso - Celorico de Basto.

This initiative, jointly organized by the Braga Athletics Association, Atlético de Codessoso and RESINORTE, had competitions for all levels, including veterans and adapted sports, and an exclusive competition for EGF employees, a “RESINORTE / EGF Mile ”.

We appreciate the participation of all athletes and congratulate the winners!

EGF participated in the event “The Portuguese and packaging recycling: practices and attitudes”, organized by Sociedade Ponto Verde, where the results of the study “Practices and representations about waste and recycling” were presented and discussed, developed in partnership with the Institute of Social Sciences. This study can be seen here.

Emídio Pinheiro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGF, highlighted the role of waste management companies in communicating and educating citizens and the importance of a synergistic action by all entities to achieve common goals. This event also had a round table where topics of high importance were debated to those who have responsibilities in communicating with the citizens that EGF advises to know.

As part of the celebration of the International Day of Recycling, RESINORTE, the Hospital da Senhora da Oliveira - Guimarães and Vitória Sport Clube come together once again, to mark this extremely important date for the Environment.

This initiative is marked by the launch of an institutional video, which aims to raise awareness among the population about the correct separation of waste and the use of existing ecopoints.

This is another initiative of this environmental awareness partnership that started at the beginning of May.

Because there is no plan b for our planet, and only together will we be able to make it more sustainable in the future, as the future of the planet is not recyclable.

Watch the video here.

Resiestrela - Management, Valorization and Treatment of Urban Waste in the municipalities of Almeida, Belmonte, Celorico da Beira, Covilhã, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Fornos de Algodres, Fundão, Guarda, Manteigas, Meda, Penamacor, Pinhel, Sabugal and Trancoso is a partner University of Beira Interior, under the UNITA project.

Universitas Montium (UNITA) is an alliance of European universities, officially created on November 6, 2020, date of the kick off meeting, and is one of the projects supported by the European Commission with the aim of modernizing Higher Education in the European Union.

This alliance, which brings together approximately 165,000 students and 13,000 employees, is composed of six higher education institutions from five countries: Università Degli Studi di Torino (UNITO) - Italy, which was the leader of the candidacy, University of Beira Interior (UBI) - Portugal, Université de Pau et des Pays de L'Adour (UPPA) - France, Université Savoie Mont-Blanc (USMB) - France, Universitatea de Vest din Timisoara (UVT) - Romania and University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR) - Spain.

UNITA's general objectives are based on three strategic axes - circular economy, renewable energies and cultural heritage, which can be summarized in the following points:

• Build excellent transnational university alliances, exploring innovative didactics co-created by students, employees and local actors, with a long-term vision and transformational impact on education systems;

• Place universities at the center of the cultural and economic development of their local ecosystems, reducing inequalities between central and peripheral regions through sustainability and the development of rural and mountainous areas;

• Promote citizenship, identity and European values;

• Build a European education area to promote a digital and green transition;

• Promote inclusion policies at all levels;

• Increase the attractiveness of European educational institutions;

Therefore, Resiestrela will contribute with its local experience and direct actions related to waste management, in a sustainable way.

As a social and environmental reference in this region, Resiestrela aims to promote innovative and value creation processes, through various support infrastructures, namely: Landfill, sorting plants, energy recovery plants, mechanical waste treatment plants and biological, ecocenters and waste transfer stations.

Through these infrastructures. Electric energy is produced from solid waste, which is channeled to the National Electricity Network; forwards plastic / metal, paper / cardboard and glass packaging waste for recycling; and produces organic fertilizers (agricultural production) from organic compounds, which can be applied to the soil.

With this project, Resiestrela will have the opportunity to boost its networking in order to increase its future actions, introducing concepts and technologies suitable for the rational use of energy.

Valnor will requalify and expand the installation of the Organic Recovery Center (CVO) located in the Integrated Solid Waste Recovery and Treatment Center, with an investment of 980 thousand euros, financed by 85%. This investment results from an application approved by POSEUR that contemplates the creation of an area dedicated to the reception of the desired selective RUB and an extension of the covered area destined to the maturation of this fraction, in the Avis TMB, specifically:

Action 1 - Zone dedicated to the reception of RUB of selective select - It contemplates the creation of an individualized zone for reception of RUB, in a contiguous location, but physically separated from the RU reception zone of undifferentiated, ensuring that the fractions do not mix any.

Action 2 - Expansion and Optimization of Processing Capacity

This action includes the expansion and optimization of the processing capacity of RUB, including the installation of a new feeding mat capable of transporting in the amount of RUB that VALNOR receives. The new feeding belt will promote the routing of the RUBs to the equipment for opening bag openers, being fed directly by a loader.

Action 3 - Expansion of the Maturation Park Coverage

Action 3 contemplates the expansion of the covered area of ​​the TMB maturation park, generating adequate conditions for the adequate valuation of the RUBs originating from the selective selection, in an area of ​​about 4,050 m2.

Action 4 - Modification and Expansion of the Command and Operational Control System

The changes that are intended to be performed on the TMB will result in changes in the installation's operating processes. The implementation of the operation will create conditions for a dedicated reception of selective RUB, increasing the potential for recovery of this waste and enabling VALNOR to guarantee the fulfillment of the goals established in the Waste Framework Standard and preparing a benefited infrastructure to meet future challenges to be mastered.

This operation, in summary, includes the creation of a bio-waste line, the creation of a reception area and the modification and expansion of the command and operational control system.

These are new challenges in which we all win - the region wins, the environment wins!

Amarsul, in partnership with the Municipalities, remains committed to guaranteeing an excellent service provision, so they inform that they will move forward with the replacement of the blue caps of the containers they made available in the Municipality of Barreiro.

An operation to replace the lids, which aims to facilitate the placement of paper and cardboard for recycling, started in the Municipality of Alcochete, passing through the Municipality of Moita in February of this year and, starting today, May 10, taking place in the Municipality of Barreiro.

This intervention on more than 3,500 ecological islands will be carried out in conjunction with the Municipalities concerned, to contribute together so that a population separates everything always and everywhere. This project, which was supported and co-financed by POSEUR - Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources, aims to increase and optimize the quantities of recyclables separated at source.

Another of the privileged places to deposit large objects such as mattresses, furniture, sofas and other things related, as well as tree branches, garden scraps and recyclable waste, is the Barreiro Ecocentro, located at Rua Mártires da Guerra Colonial, in Lavradio. The reception of this type of material is free and is available to a population from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm and on Saturday from 9 am to 12:30 pm, closing on Sundays and holidays.

Valorlis together with Sociedade Ponto Verde will resume this weekend the dynamization of the Ecoporta initiative, which was suspended in November 2020.

With the motto “Separate the Packaging. We collect. We all recycle.” The initiative consists of a team of monitors who will visit the houses in the areas covered by the Ecoporta Project: Picassinos, Comeira (Marinha Grande), Casal do Ralha, Mouratos (Leiria) in order to make the population aware of the existence of a free collection service of door-to-door recyclable waste which, in order to function fully, must count on the involvement and participation of all.

This initiative will continue to raise awareness among the population, the distribution of bags and ecobags for waste separation and also the survey of recycling habits, through the realization of a questionnaire.

With a new approach, closer to the citizen, the objective of the Ecoporta initiative is to involve citizens showing that they can be part of the solution by recycling without leaving home.

“Our main objective is that the inhabitants of the areas covered adhere to the free service we provide them, separating their paper and plastic waste correctly. Each one separates their residues, Valorlis collects them door to door and all together we make a difference ”, says Marta Guerreiro, CEO of Valorlis.

For Ana Isabel Trigo Morais, CEO / Chief Executive Officer of SPV, “door-to-door collection is an essential service to guarantee the forwarding of packaging for treatment and recovery in some areas of our country. Initiatives like Ecoporta allow to ensure the correct information and awareness of citizens so that they know the service and understand that it is only with their participation that it is possible to do it effectively. ”

Door to Door Collection Service

Valorlis has been implementing the Door to Door Collection service since 2001 from the population, in the areas of Picassinos / Comeira, in the Municipality of Marinha Grande and Mouratos / Casal do Ralha in the Municipality of Leiria. The inhabitants of the areas covered store their plastic and metal, paper and cardboard waste in the blue and yellow bags provided by Valorlis and on certain days (3rd and 6th) they place them at the door of their residence and Valorlis collects them.

Valorlis' door-to-door collection service aims to increase the quantity and quality of selectively collected materials and, consequently, to decrease the quantities of undifferentiated waste, through a selective collection system in the residence itself.

On World Earth Day, Valorsul presents the 100% digital awareness campaign “SOLUTION IS REDUCING”. The objective is to raise awareness of the 1st school cycle to the problem of increasing waste production.

The project “THE SOLUTION IS TO REDUCE!” is now available online at www.asolucaoeredicando.com so that all schools and families can access its contents. The awareness kit includes the Digital Animated Book “What is the solution?”, Which tells the story of Manuel, a driver who collects garbage, and his concern about the increasing amount of waste that people make; the original Music of Manuel with tips for reduction and reuse and activities associated with Reduction, Reuse and Recycling.

During the 3rd period, 300 classes will receive an awareness raising action by videoconference to streamline the content.

In an interactive session between 4 classes, explored in a playful and educational way, it is intended to take the youngest to reflect on the change in daily habits necessary to reduce the amount of waste we do at home and at school.

Waste reduction is the most important measure in the waste management hierarchy: the first of the 3Rs. That is why this project appears with content dedicated specifically to this theme, in which Valorsul invests in training for prevention.

Contests “SEPARA E GANHA“

In addition to awareness-raising actions, Valorsul continued the inter-school competitions, in which 189 schools in YELLOW - separation of plastic and metal - and 179 schools in AZUL - separation of paper and cardboard are participating. In addition, about 30 institutions also participate in separating their recyclables.

Resinorte is requalifying and expanding the mechanical and biological treatment (TMB) facility located in Riba de Ave, Vila Nova de Famalicão, with an investment of over 5 million euros. This investment results from an application approved by POSEUR with 85% co-financing, and aims to transform the current installation, increasing the processing capacity of its lines dedicated to the reception and treatment of bio-waste from selective collection.

This operation, in summary, contemplates the creation of a line of bio-waste, the creation of a reception area and the modification and expansion of the command and operational control system.

These are new challenges in which we all win - the region wins, the environment wins!

Emídio Pinheiro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGF and Director of Mota-Engil, participated in the Portugal - Africa Business Seminar | Exporting Green Economy, organised by AICEP (Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade of Portugal) in partnership with CIP (Confederation of Portuguese Industry), within the scope of the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union.

The theme of the seminar, "Export "Green" - The internationalization of companies in the era of sustainability", was an opportunity for Mota-Engil and, in sequence, EGF, to demonstrate the capacity and know-how in waste management, its role in the circular economy and the ability to contribute significantly to sustainable development in Portugal and in the World.

ERSUC received certification according to the standard NP EN ISO 55001: 2016, Asset Management System, whose scope covers the Asset Management System applicable to the Multimunicipal System for the Treatment and Valorization of Urban Solid Waste of the Litoral Centro, including Collection services, Reception, Transfer, Treatment, Screening and Recovery.

This certification resulted from the implementation of the benchmark in the Integrated Centers for the Valorisation and Treatment of MSW in Aveiro and Coimbra, in the Transfer Stations of Ansião, Estarreja, Góis, Figueira da Foz, Ossela, Pampilhosa da Serra and Sever do Vouga, and also in the old ones. landfills, namely the Old Landfill of Coimbra (Taveiro), the Old Landfill of Aveiro (Taboeira) and the Old Landfill of Figueira da Foz (Lavos).

The Asset Management System is a process that involves balancing several variables such as costs, risks, opportunities and performance benefits, aiming at the optimization of resources. The Asset Management System implemented at ERSUC expresses the integration of Asset Management processes, activities and information with other organizational functions, such as quality, environment, security, accounting, risk and human resources.

The implementation of the Asset Management System, will allow ERSUC to improve the services available as a result of the good performance of the assets, seeking to improve organizational sustainability, through a more effective management of costs and investments.

“The certification in the Asset Management System makes us very proud, and represents another step in the process of continuous improvement that ERSUC is following, focused on the quality of the service provided to different stakeholders. This certification joins the Quality, Environment and Safety certifications implemented at ERSUC since 2009 ”, says Miguel Ferreira, Executive Director of ERSUC.

The EGF Group won the National Sustainability Award 2021, in the “Digital and Artificial Intelligence” category with the Recycle BinGo application.

This award was attributed by Jornal de Negócios, in an initiative that was highly sponsored by the President of the Portuguese Republic and which distinguished companies, municipalities and institutions that promote sustainability throughout the country.

Recycle BinGo is a mobile application from EGF that had the first version financed by the Environmental Fund of the Ministry of the Environment, whose objective is to recognize and give prizes to those who recycle in an intelligent and fun way and that promotes citizen participation in the 174 municipalities served by EGF concessionaires.

This was a real teamwork, with the participation of the Communication team of EGF and the 11 concessionaires, and the creative agency Djomba.

Discover the most environmentally friendly game at: https://www.egf.pt/pt/sustentabilidade/educacao-ambiental/recycle-bingo/

EGF and the 11 concessionaires win 4 bronze awards, delivered in an online ceremony organized by the newspaper Meio & Publicidade, in the Environment and Energy categories; Integrated multimedia; Public relations; and Sustainability and Social Responsibility, with the campaign “The future of the planet is not recyclable”.

In this VII Edition of the Marketing awards, 139 cases were registered and 69 campaigns were included in the pre-selection list.

The campaign, launched in October 2020 and co-financed by POSEUR, sensitized the population to the prevention, reuse and recycling of urban waste, with messages, videos, visuals and participation in the media.

This was a real teamwork, with the participation of EGF workers, POSEUR, Tux & Gill, Tempo Media and M Public Relations.

Get to know the campaign at: https://www.egf.pt/o-futuro-do-planeta-nao-e-reciclavel/ or on all EGF social networks looking for the hashtag #ofuturodoplanetanaoereciclavel.

Valorlis acquired a new vehicle dedicated to washing ecopoints that allows washing and sanitizing surface ecopoints intended for the separation of recyclable waste.

This investment, of more than € 300,000, falls within the scope of the Operational Plan for Selective Collection Activity and is part of the continuous improvement of the quality of the service provided to the population, in compliance with the “Container Washing” indicator, inherent to Quality of Water and Waste Services Provided to Users.

The acquisition of this automatic vehicle and the hiring of a team dedicated to this service, will allow an increase in the frequency of washing and cleaning of the selective deposit containers, making this equipment more appealing to the population and reinforcing the safety of its use.

With its own resources, Valorlis proposes to wash the surface ecopoints, inside and out, reinforce the cleaning of the areas surrounding the ecopoints, perform the maintenance of equipment and replace the recycling signs.

In 2020, Valorlis carried out approximately 33 thousand washes and disinfections to the selective disposal equipment made available to the population.

Marta Guerreiro, CEO of Valorlis stresses that "These measures are part of Valorlis' commitment to improving the quality of the service provided to the populations, which we are committed to promoting".

Valorlis has been strengthening its selective collection activity, and following the operationalization in 2019 of investments in this area, Valorlis continued to increase the amount of recyclable waste separated at ecopoints, having grown 10% compared to 2019. In 2020, 360 more containers were made available to the population, with an increase of 41% in installed containers in the last three years, reflecting the highest growth in the Company's history.

Valorlis currently has a network of 1,745 ecopoints distributed across the six municipalities in its intervention area, guaranteeing the ratio of one ecopoint for every 169 inhabitants.

The provision of ecopoints is complemented with the door-to-door collection service in shops and services and programs to encourage separation and recycling from schools and IPSS.

ERSUC started, in a phased manner, the return of its Selective Door-to-Door Collection service in stores and services.

With the resumption of this service, ERSUC aims to give the best response to traders who resume their activity, seeking to be an ally in this time of constant adaptation.

This return will also be symbolized by a new certificate “Comercio a Reciclar” that will be made available to merchants who adhere to the service, who stand out for their commitment to reduce the environmental impact, when carrying out an adequate management of their waste.

Merchants will also be provided with the magnetic “Recycling Code”, with waste separation rules, to reinforce concepts and clarify any doubts.

ERSUC's Door-to-Door collection teams are equipped with personal protective equipment and will follow the methodologies adapted to this season to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Resiestrela will requalify and expand the mechanical and biological treatment (TMB) facility located at the Urban Waste Treatment and Valorization Center in Fundão, with an investment of 985 thousand euros, financed by 85%. This investment is the result of an application approved by POSEUR that aims to install a dedicated line for the processing of bio-waste from selective collection in a TMB infrastructure for urban waste, with the objective of making this facility compatible with the growing flow of urban waste selectively collected.

This operation, in summary, includes the creation of a line of bio-waste, the creation of a reception area and the modification and expansion of the command and operational control system.

These are new challenges in which we all win - the region wins, the environment wins!

Amarsul has vehicles and exclusive teams for the selective collection of trade and services, with the collection process being carried out according to the needs of the entities, through regular collections at adhering establishments or through specific requests.

Amarsul made an investment of 150 thousand euros in the acquisition of two new vehicles to integrate the selective collection fleet, to guarantee the recovery of waste in the most sustainable way in its various areas of operation, ensuring demanding environmental standards.

These vehicles are able to collect plastic and paper / cardboard waste and are intended exclusively to collect from commercial entities, businesses and services, which produce quantities of recyclable waste.

These new vehicles allow to optimize the collection service, as they have 30% more capacity than the replaced vehicles, allowing to increase the number of visited entities.

They also have a set of features that substantially improve the daily working conditions of drivers and assistants, in terms of comfort and safety.

The Selective Collection activity thus counts on a reinforced fleet with 2 new vehicles and awaits the reception of 3 more, to replace the existing ones, ensuring the collection of the approximately 2300 commercial establishments distributed by the 9 Municipalities of the Setúbal Peninsula.

There were 1,136 educational establishments that participated in the Ecovalor Program in 2020 - the environmental education program dedicated exclusively to the school community and available in about 60% of the national territory. There were more than 331,000 students, teachers and assistants who, despite the pandemic, implemented good practices for the reduction and reuse of waste and recycled 2,560 tons of packaging, exceeding the values ​​of 2019.

All of these schools sent 1.442 tons of paper and cardboard, 849 tons of plastic, metal and beverage packages and 269 tons of glass to be recycled. The material separated by the students was sent for recycling and each school receives its prize based on the amount recycled, for a total of 139,250 euros.

TOP + | National Champions

At the national level, Moledo - Lourinhã Basic School should be highlighted, first with 25 tonnes, followed by the Centro Infantil do Hospital de Faro (23 tonnes) and the EB1 / JI School of Conceição de Faro (22 tonnes) . These were the winning schools of the 19th edition of the program, which is already in preparation for the academic year 2021-2022.

TOP + | Regional Champions

Each concessionaire also distinguishes the schools that recycle the most in each region, and from which the results are disseminated.

Ecovalor Program

The Ecovalor program aims to promote good environmental practices in educational establishments throughout the country, rewarding those that present better performance in the separation of their used packaging. In addition to the awareness actions (also available online), this program ensures selective collection, delivers bags and supports and includes the Separa e Ganha contest - for each bag of packaging destined for the yellow ecopoint, the school will receive € 0.50. The values ​​associated with the recycling of paper / cardboard and glass are specific to some regions, which have already taken the step in recycling more materials. More information about this initiative at this link: https://www.egf.pt/pt/sustentabilidade/educacao-ambiental/programa-ecovalor/

There were 378 social institutions that participated in the Toneladas de Ajuda campaign in 2020 - the campaign aimed at social institutions and available in about 60% of the national territory. There were more than 450,000 people who, despite the pandemic, implemented good practices for the reduction and reuse of waste and recycled 2,332 tons of packaging, significantly exceeding the values ​​of 2019.

All of these institutions sent 1,550 tons of paper and cardboard, 502 tons of plastic, metal and beverage packages and 47 tons of glass to recycle. The material separated by the institutions was sent for recycling and each entity receives its prize according to the amount recycled, for a total of 307,880 euros.

TOP + | National Champions

At the national level, Banco Alimentar do Algarve stands out, first with 318 tons, followed by APPACDM by Trofa (206 tons) and by Projeto Lousã Recicla Mais (184 tons). These were the winning institutions, recognized by EGF and the concessionaire in their region.

TOP + | Regional Champions

Each concessionaire also distinguishes the institutions that recycle the most in each region, and from which the results are disclosed.

Toneladas de Ajuda Campaign

The Toneladas de Ajuda social responsibility campaign consists of adding value to all recyclable waste that registered social institutions want to deliver, namely plastic, metal, paper, cardboard and glass packaging, in exchange for a financial contribution. More information about this initiative at this link: https://www.egf.pt/pt/sustentabilidade/educacao-ambiental/toneladas-de-ajuda/

Due to the implementation of selective collection in ecological islands in the municipalities of Barreiro, Moita, Palmela Sesimbra and in the eastern area of ​​the municipality of Montijo, during 2019 and 2020 Amarsul registered several requests from residents, indicating that the size of the opening of the lids containers was small, making it difficult to dispose of recyclable waste.

To respond to this obstacle to recycling, in July 2020, a pilot experiment by Amarsul started, which involved the replacement of the container lids on the ecological islands in the Municipality of Alcochete, with others with larger openings to facilitate the deposition of recyclable waste, in both. the 1,100 liter containers (yellow and blue) that we made available to residents.

Over the six months of this experience, Amarsul found that the change in the opening of the blue container lids led to a significant reduction in contamination, as well as an increase in the quantities collected, proving that this change facilitated the work of those who want to separate paper / cardboard packaging for recycling. With regard to the yellow containers, it was found that the increase in the opening of the lids resulted in an increase in contamination, without a corresponding increase in the quantities collected.

It was concluded that the good results achieved showed the relevance of moving forward with the replacement of the blue lids of all 1,100 liter containers, in all municipalities where Amarsul has this type of container.

The replacement operation started in February, in the Municipality of Moita, and will run until the end of 2021 in all municipalities, with the objective of facilitating the work of those who separate the waste to recycle, without leading to the improper deposition of undifferentiated waste in the containers intended only for recyclables.

This intervention on more than 3,500 ecological islands will be carried out in conjunction with the Municipalities concerned, so that together we can contribute so that the population separates everything always and everywhere. This project, which was supported and co-financed by POSEUR - Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources, aims to increase and optimize the quantities of recyclables separated at source.

EGF, a MOTA-ENGIL Group company responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste in 174 municipalities in Portugal and 60% of the Portuguese population, registered in 2020 an increase in the selective collective of 4% compared to 2019, an increase that contrasts with the decrease in total waste production of -5%. 

In February 2020, before the effects of the pandemic, Selective Collection grew 19% compared to the same period last year and everything indicated that it would be a year of marked growth, reflecting the investment made by EGF in Selective Collection and in campaigns with the population. However, with a pandemic and due to the consequences on the activity of companies and changes in people's behavior, the numbers registered are lower than the initial expectation, but they are nonetheless positive, due to the population's adherence to EGF awareness campaigns, supporting the effective and growing participation of citizens in the habits of recycling. 

Pandemic Effects 

Attention should be drawn to the effects of the COVID-19’s pandemic with these results, which highlight the increased presence of families at home (where more waste is recycled), and, consequently, the movement of waste production to the outlying city areas, the closure of local trade, the near absence of tourism and the changes in consumer habits. However, it is also clear, that this is a year in which the waste produced is falling, contrary to the increasing trend of recent years. 

Recycling never stopped 

It should also be noted that EGF’s concessionaires, despite this being a year of extreme challenges, have never stopped their services to the population, particularly the selective collection activity, but also the sorting plants operation, as they have been able to implement solutions and adapt to the new conditions, always with the utmost care for the safety and health of their employees.

We highlight the excellent performance in collection of recyclables of the companies Amarsul, Suldouro and Resinorte with growth above 16% compared to the same period of 2019, and, conversely, the companies Valorsul and Algar, greatly affected by the absence of tourism and closure of trade.

This information represents the consolidated data of 11 concessionaires, distributed from North to South of the country, for the year 2020 and illustrate the behavior of 60% of the Portuguese population. 

EGF has available a digital platform on what to do with waste during the pandemic. The platform contains simplified information of safety measures to take with waste, following the rules of APA, DGS and ERSAR.

You can visit the platform #PREVENTCOVID19, launched during March last year, to answer questions through FAQs; consult teaching materials for use by all people and organizations; and watch informative reports with the waste rules to follow during the COVID-19's pandemic.

In a new confinement phase, it is important to clarify questions about recycling and understand the best method to protect yourself, and the people around you, to avoid contagion.

Follow the waste rules in order to prevent and mitigate the spread of the virus, protecting yourself and the waste treatment and collection workers that daily perform their service without the possibility of confinement.

A campaign to collect natural Christmas trees is being carried out until January 14, promoted by the Lisbon City Council in partnership with Valorsul, A Piece of Lemon Cake and Pinheiro Bombeiro.

The collected natural Christmas trees will be transformed into compost in the new Valorsul Green Composting Station. The resulting compost will be used in the planting of the first Tiny Forest in Portugal, promoted by A Piece of Lemon Cake, which will start later this year in Lisbon.

The campaign runs between 9 am and 5 pm at Lisbon's Cleaning Stations in Boavista, Monsanto, Filipe de Mata, Vale do Forno and Infante D. Henrique. It is estimated that between 825 and 2200 natural pines will be delivered for composting.

How long and where can your natural Christmas tree be delivered?

The campaign runs from January 7 to 14, between 9 am and 5 pm, at the following Cleaning Stations in the City of Lisbon:
- Boavista: Rua Dom Luís I, 10 (Misericórdia);
- Monsanto: Estrada da Pimenteira, at the access to Casa dos Animais de Lisboa (Alcântara).
- Filipe de Mata: Rua Filipe da Mata, under the viaduct (Avenidas Novas).
- Vale do Forno: Estrada Militar, to Quinta do Olival (Lumiar).
- Infante D. Henrique: Avenida Infante D. Henrique, under the Santa Apolónia Viaduct (São Vicente).

Delivery can also be made at LX Factory, at the point of sale of the O Pinheiro Bombeiro initiative, on January 8th, 9th and 10th, from 9 am to 1 am and you can also request the collection of the tree at the Lisbon City Hall services.

EGF's Group won APCE's 2020 Grand Prix: COVID-19 Edition, ex aequo with CTT, in the category “Integrated Campaign - Services (Tertiary Sector)” with the campaign #PREVENTCOVID19.

The campaign, launched in March this year, sensitized the population to stay at home with the aim of preventing the spread of the pandemic by COVID-19, with simple messages and illustrations that showed the most important rules to take into account when taking care of our waste in the midst of a pandemic, with a persistence that reached thousands of people across the country.

This campaign has already won, this year, the 2nd communication award from ISWA - International Solid Waste Association and obtained an honorable mention in the same category in the awards of APEE - Portuguese Association for Business Ethics.

With the motto “we are working for you, stay home for us”, the campaign showed workers from EGF's concessionaires who worked tirelessly every day to guarantee a service that cannot stop - the collection, treatment and management of waste.

The campaign was produced by EGF's Communication team, EGF's workers and the agencies Wiz Interactive, Deslink and World IT. Congratulations to everyone involved and to the population that continues to recycle everything, always and everywhere!

Get to know this pioneering campaign at: https://www.egf.pt/en/media/covid-19/ or on all EGF social networks by looking for the hashtag #PREVENIRCOVID19. See below the moment of the Group's victory (15:04 min) and all the campaigns that won the communication awards.

Algar and NUTRIVERDE® wish everyone happy holidays, fulfilling a tradition with which the Algarve has already become accustomed. In this festive season, all Algar facilities will have horticultural plants to offer their customers, along with samples of their organic compound, NUTRIVERDE®, ideal for this type of crops.

Planting vegetables is one of Algar's proposals that invites all Algarvians to create their own vegetable garden, a company tradition that has completed a decade, and that is fulfilled every year by this time. In addition to being a great hobby, it also brings economic benefits by providing cheaper and tastier vegetables. With the fundamental help of NUTRIVERDE®, a 100% natural compound, better agricultural production will be achieved.

To access this offer, you'll just need to one of the company's facilities, starting on December 14th (www.algar.com.pt), and deliver a bag with recyclable packaging waste in exchange for compost and vegetables (limited to existing stock).

NUTRIVERDE® is obtained exclusively from recovery and treatment of green waste from parks, gardens, golf courses and agricultural activities, through a biological process called composting. The production of this compound allows Algar, annually, to recover about 15 thousand tons of this waste, avoiding landfill dumping.

ALGAR's Organic Compound sides with Agriculture

The excellent quality of NUTRIVERDE® promotes greater production in agricultural crops.

NUTRIVERDE®, produced and marketed by Algar, is ideal to use as an organic fertilizer and/or substrate. In addition to not being aggressive or polluting to nature, NUTRIVERDE® brings numerous benefits to the soil, returning it to organic matter absorbed by plants, thus closing the natural cycle. In this way, it is possible to fight soil erosion and improve its physical, chemical and biological properties.

NUTRIVERDE® can be purchased at Algar's premises during their opening hours. The company has 3 Green Composting Units in operation, in Portimão, São Brás de Alportel and Tavira. NUTRIVERDE® deliveries can be made by Algar, subject to conditions to be agreed with the customer.

Currently, NUTRIVERDE® and NUTRIVERDE PREMIUM® are sold in bulk and in a big bag (packaging with circa 800 kg). To learn more about NUTRIVERDE®, you can visit Algar's website at www.algar.com.pt. 

The 19th edition of Ecovalor's Program has already started, empowered by the annual recycling contest “Separa e Ganha” - a challenge launched by EGF'S group to educational institutions across the country, which offers prizes to schools that present better performance in separating their used plastic, metal, paper and cardboard packagings.  

EGF REINFORCES RECYCLING CONTEST
FOR SCHOOLS

This contest is aimed at recycling enthusiasts and is part of EGF's Ecovalor Program, an active program since 2002 that involves schools across the country, with several initiatives that promote good environmental practices. This year, all awareness-raising actions were adapted to digital format for the safety of all participants.

The initiative plan is adapted to the reality of each region and is implemented by each EGF concessionaire - Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor and Valorsul - in its area of ​​operation, in partnership with the respective municipalities. Despite the pandemic phase, this program has never stopped and has overcome challenges and promoted new solutions.

In 2019, Ecovalor received more than 2,500 tons of packaging for recycling, doubling the volume of the previous year. 1,099 schools and almost 400 thousand people participated, almost twice the impact that the program had in 2018. In addition, the concessionaires carried out, in total, more than 6,500 complementary actions, such as face-to-face visits, awareness-raising actions or campaigns, reaching more than 100 thousand people.

This program reinforces EGF's Group mission, like the current national campaign “The Future of the Planet is Not Recyclable”, launched last month, which raises Portuguese citizens awareness towards sustainability and resource development, leading them to adopt appropriate environmental behaviors to protect the planet and future generations.

EGF's group, leader in treatment and recovery of waste in Portugal, was awarded, this Thursday, with a Recognition of Practices in Social Responsibility in the category #SDG11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, attributed to the Toneladas de Ajuda (Tons of Help) campaign.

In the week of social responsibility, the group was also distinguished with an Honorable Mention in the Communication category attributed to the campaign #PREVENTCOVID19, in an initiative by APEE - Portuguese Association of Business Ethics - in partnership with the Global Compact Network Portugal.

The ceremony, dedicated to the theme "2020-2030: The Decade of Sustainability", was attended by the Secretary of State for the Treasury, Dr. Miguel Cruz, and is part of the 15th Edition of Social Responsibility Week®, which every year brings together government representatives, business leaders, experts and civil society organizations to discuss the major issues related to ethics, social responsibility and sustainability.

The awards were received by Emídio Pinheiro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGF. “The awarded projects are part of an environmental and social communication strategy articulated with the 174 municipalities that are shareholders and customers of EGF's concessionaires, which also includes the most recent campaign, still ongoing, called “THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET IS NOT RECYCLABLE” , but also the Ecovalor Program for schools, EcoEvents, Recycling Commerce and Markets or the APP Recycle BinGo. I appeal to your participation in these initiatives, because, in fact, the future of the planet is not recyclable”, he said.

Toneladas de Ajuda mobilized a total of 250 institutions in 2019, having collected more than 734 tons of packaging to recycle, which allowed the distribution of around 70,000€ in social support. The campaign remains active in 2020 and with the same logic of supporting and promoting appropriate environmental behaviors among institutions.

#PREVENTCOVID19 consisted of a campaign developed in the beginning of the pandemic in a scenario of great uncertainty. It was created in record time and managed to put in place a communication strategy for the citizen, mainly on social media, giving accurate and useful information on what to do to urban waste in the first wave of confinement, to correct the wrong behavior that were jeopardizing the recycling operation. In addition, this project counted on the active participation of EGF workers, who were avidly involved in the initiatives and showed their daily work to the population, essential to mantain public service with quality and safety.

Sociedade Ponto Verde and Valorlis came together to make recycling easier and easier. The Ecoporta initiative reaches Picassinos, Comeira (Marinha Grande), Casal do Ralha, Mouratos (Leiria) in an action to raise awareness of promoting adherence to the door to door collection service in these locations.

With the motto “Separate the Packaging. We collect. We all recycle.” The initiative consists of a team of monitors who will visit the homes in the region in order to raise their awareness of the existence of a free door-to-door collection service for recyclable waste that, in order to function fully, must have the involvement and participation of all.

This initiative provides for the distribution of bags and ecobags for waste separation and also participation through a questionnaire on recycling habits.

With a new approach, closer to the citizen, the objective of the Ecoporta initiative is to involve citizens showing that they can be part of the solution by recycling without leaving home.

In addition to door-to-door actions, the initiative also includes a partnership with commercial establishments where dispensers and bags for separation will be available.

“Our main objective is that the inhabitants of the areas covered adhere to the free service we provide them, separating their paper and plastic waste correctly. Each one separates their waste, Valorlis collects it door to door and all together we make a difference”, says Marta Guerreiro, Executive Director of Valorlis.

For Ana Isabel Trigo Morais, CEO / CEO of SPV, “door-to-door collection is an essential service to ensure the forwarding of packaging for treatment and recovery in some areas of our country. Initiatives such as Ecoporta make it possible to guarantee the correct information and awareness of citizens so that they get to know the service and understand that it is only with their participation that it is possible to do it effectively. ”

The action will start on November 6 and will go through the rooms over the weekends, complying with all the rules stipulated by the General Directorate of Health.

Door-to-Door Collection Service

Valorlis has been implementing the Door to Door Collection service since 2001 from the population, in the areas of Picassinos/Comeira, in the municipality of Marinha Grande and Mouratos/Casal do Ralha in the municipality of Leiria. The inhabitants of the areas covered store their plastic and metal, paper and cardboard waste in the blue and yellow bags provided by Valorlis and on specific days (3rd and 6th) they place them at the door of their residence and Valorlis collects them.

Valorlis' door-to-door collection service aims to increase the quantity and quality of selectively collected materials and, consequently, to decrease the quantities of undifferentiated waste, through a selective collection system at the residence itself.

About Sociedade Ponto Verde

Sociedade Ponto Verde is a private non-profit institution whose mission is to organize and manage the recovery and recovery of packaging waste, promoting CIRCULAR ECONOMY through the implementation of the Integrated Packaging Waste Management System (SIGRE). Awareness and education for the best environmental practices are one of the main objectives of Sociedade Ponto Verde with the Portuguese.

EGF and the 11 concessionaires - Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valnor, Valorlis, Valorminho and Valorsul - are promoting reduction, reusing and recycling activities throughout the country, amongst the European Week for Waste Reduction, which runs from the 21st to the 29th of November.

This year's theme is invisible waste - waste generated during the manufacturing process of products. In order to alert the population that even in times of pandemic, concern for the planet is on the agenda, the EGF Group has several campaigns and initiatives scheduled, notably the initiatives with the media under the campaign The Future of the Planet is Not Recyclable.

In Portugal, around 513kg of urban waste per inhabitant are produced per year and in 2019 Portugal produced a total of 5,281 thousand tons of this waste. This value is above the European average, and only with the adoption of correct behaviors will it be possible to reduce this production.

EGF, with the largest environmental awareness campaign ever, remains committed to promoting reduction, reuse and recycling in Portugal.

The largest and most technological packaging sorting line in our country is already fully operational. It is located in the Lumiar Sorting Center, in Lisbon, and makes sorting faster and more rigorous, especially for various types of plastics and metals that families and businesses separate to recycle in yellow containers and ecopoints.

5.5 million investment guarantees capacity increase

The investment, of approximately 5.5 million euros in the new Valorsul Sorting Center, has provided this infrastructure with a processing capacity of more than 7 tons per hour of plastic and metal, which will allow to cope with the growth of quantities separated by people in the coming years.

7 optical readers were also installed that automatically separate different plastics and more than 100 equipment and conveyors, which allow the maximum use of all the material that reaches this sorting line.

On a daily basis, this Sorting Center treats and sends the plastic and metal packaging that arrives there (44 tons/day) but also 105 tons of paper and cardboard and 88 tons of glass for recycling. The new Sorting Center employs 70 workers, in two shifts, which guarantee the entire operation and a high quality control of the materials.

Valorsul invites you to a virtual visit to this important piece of technology in the area of ​​recyclable waste separation, by viewing a short 2-minute video:

At the Cadaval Screening Center, work on upgrading and increasing capacity has also been completed, to cope with the growth achieved in the selective collection of the West.

The new packaging line, in Lisbon, was financed by PO SEUR.

“It's not just a campaign, it's a collective and inclusive movement” - this is the motto that led EGF and its 11 concessionaires - Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor and Valorsul - to develop a movement to change environmental behaviors.

EGF concessionaires reorganize more than 78,300 ecopoints across the country to promote inclusion and increase recycling

Among the several planned actions is the reorganization of ecopoints, in order to promote recycling among citizens with limitations. More than 78,300 ecopoints from North to South of Portugal will have a new order - Blue, Green and Yellow - thus helping those with visual limitations. This action is expected to be completed in February 2021.

The solution is simple: just orderering the ecopoints containers always the same way, from left to right - blue, green and yellow. In this way, blind or visually impaired citizens will always know which container is for each type of material.

“With this action, we not only want to have more citizens recycling, but we want them to recycle better and for that we have to be more and more inclusive. The campaign - The Future of the Planet is Not Recyclable - is more than an advertising film, this is the biggest awareness movement that has ever been made, because together we can be the engine of a necessary and urgent change”, said Emídio Pinheiro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGF.

EGF's concessionaires have already started this project in their areas of operation and expect to conclude the action in four months. At the same time, EGF invited all waste treatment and recovery systems, city councils and organizations, to adopt the same procedure, so that it is possible to standardize this practice across the country.

AUDIO DESCRIPTION

In addition to ecopoints' ordering, the recycling code present in various information media is now available in audio description. If on one hand, the recycling signs already had the colorADD symbols (which support color identification for colorblind citizens), blind and visually impaired citizens can now hear these rules available on EGF's website or hear the campaign announcement in this format.

OTHER INITIATIVES

Besides these initiatives, there is also the subtitling of all the films shown, including the TV ad, which allows the deaf community to understand them, and some content presented by company employees whose physical and/or psychological limitations were not hindering to their participation.

Launched this month by EGF and its 11 concessionaires, a leading group in the treatment and recovery of waste in Portugal, this is the largest environmental awareness campaign ever developed in Portugal with European funds and has an investment of around one million euros.

More information about the campaign at: www.egf.pt/o-futuro-do-planeta-nao-e-reciclavel/

More information on inclusive content: https://www.egf.pt/o-futuro-do-planeta-nao-e-reciclavel/campanha-inclusiva/

The artist Xico Gaivota joined the movement “The Future of the Planet is not Recyclable” and created a sculpture of a dolphin, from marine waste, as it is one of the most iconic marine species, thus arousing the attention of even more Portuguese people for recycling.

The piece can be visited, free of charge, at the European Green Capital Store 2020, at Praça do Município, in Lisbon, from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 6pm, until December 31st 2020. After this date, the piece will go on tour in several spaces across the country.

“It was with great pride that I accepted the invitation to make this piece as part of the campaign "The Future of the Planet is Not Recyclable". The objective is to make us think about our behavior as inhabitants of this planet”, says Xico Gaivota.

With approximately 2.5m in height and about 150 kg, this work was developed exclusively with fragments of unhandled waste and without the use of any glues or paints during its production. All the materials that the artist uses in his pieces are collected by him on non-concessioned beaches on the Portuguese coast.

Xico Gaivota is usually recognized for his interventions to raise global awareness of the existing waste at sea. For years he has been travelling along Portuguese beaches, from north to south, collecting plastics and other materials that become the raw-material for his original creations, where the theme of marine animals is constant.

The developed art piece integrates the campaign “The Future of the Planet is not Recyclable”, which shows what happens to waste after being separated in ecopoints and aims to provoke the Portuguese conscience, leading them to adopt appropriate environmental behaviors to protect the planet. The process is simple: reduce, reuse and recycle.

Launched this month by the EGF concessionaires - Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valorlis, Valorminho, Valnor and Valorsul -, the leading group in the treatment and recovery of waste in Portugal, this is the biggest environmental awareness campaign ever developed in Portugal with European funds and has an investment of around one million euros.

See here the making of of the art piece:

More information about the artist at: www.xicogaivota.com

More information about the campaign at: www.egf.pt/o-futuro-do-planeta-nao-e-reciclavel/

Technical Information

Art Piece: Dolphin Jumping Out of Water

Author: Xico Gaivota

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Location: Praça do Município,
European Green Capital Store 2020, Lisbon, Portugal

Date: Exhibition until December 31st, 2020

EGF's concessionaires, a leading group in the treatment and recovery of waste in Portugal, launched, this Wednesday, the largest environmental awareness campaign ever developed in Portugal with European funds. With an investment of more than one million euros, O Futuro do Planeta Não é Reciclável movement, calls for the prevention, reuse and recycling of urban waste. The advertising film features Rúben Alves, author of the acclaimed film “A Gaiola Dourada”.

The goal of this campaign is to move the citizen to take action and be part of a collective movement, through the adoption of appropriate environmental behaviors in its daily waste  management and by assuming their role as resource manager, in a value chain of which EGF and its concessionaires are part of.

“This is a very important campaign for the EGF group. We accounted for the involvement of all concessionaires, employees and partners, to create, together, a collective environmental movement that will make a difference ”, underlined Emídio Pinheiro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGF.

This campaign is part of a Strategic Environmental Communication application, submitted by EGF's concessionaires and approved by POSEUR for the period 2016-2020 with a co-financing of 85%. For its implementation, a public tender with international advertising was carried out, with the award of € 1,061,732.

The presentation of the campaign will be made, this morning, at the Thalia Theater, in Lisbon, in a public ceremony with the participation of the Secretary of State for the Environment and Climate Action, Inês dos Santos Costa.

A CAMPAIGN THAT INTENDS TO RAISE CONSCIOUSNESS

The advertising film, authored by director Rúben Alves, who made the film “Gaiola Dourada”, is very cinematic and aims to raise awareness and lead the necessary change in behavior. This spot shows what happens to waste after being separated at the ecopoints and gives face and voice to thousands of workers in this sector of activity. In addition, the role of municipalities and organizations, which are invited to promote this campaign in their regions, is also highlighted.

Actress Ana Varela, comedian, António Raminhos, singer Toy and urban artist Xico Gaivota will help to give voice to this movement, through various actions on social media and the creation of an installation to celebrate the movement. Regional events and participations will also be promoted, as well as environmental education actions on the ground, such as the Ecovalor Program and Recycle Bingo.

The multimedia advertising campaign, whose creativity was by Tux & Gill, will be present in various national and regional media - press, radio, billboards and television -, highlighting the actions integrated in the programs The Voice of Portugal, Big Brother and Manhãs of Rádio Comercial.

Also noteworthy are the special care for inclusion and diversity applied in this campaign, including the subtitling of films, the implementation of rules in ordering the containers (blue, green and yellow) for the blind and the creation of a tattoo with the application of the ColorADD symbols.

Ana Loureiro, EGF's Communication Director, was elected as Representative of National Members on ISWA - International Solid Waste Association's organization Board.

To change the world, first you have to change yourself, only then can you make a difference.

Congratulations Ana and APESB, ISWA's representative in Portugal!

Algar supports the initiative "Pesca por um Mar sem Lixo (Fishing for a Sea without Waste)", a project with the objective of reducing marine litter on the Portuguese coast, which has now reached the fishing port of Lagos, where it has, at the start, 31 vessels and 67 fishermen.

Lagos is the 17th fishing port to join this initiative, in a partnership involving Docapesca, Algar, Lagos City Council, Association of Artisanal Fishing Shipowners of the Western Algarve, Barlavento Fishing Shipowners' Cooperative (Barlapesca) and Portuguese Marine Waste Association.

“Fishing for a Sea without Waste” is a project integrated in one of Portugal's voluntary commitments within the scope of the Sustainable Development objective 14 - Oceans, promoting the collection of waste generated on board and captured in fishing gear and providing the appropriate infrastructure for its reception on land and subsequent recovery.

Algar is a partner of the initiative in the region in the Algarve, through the provision of ecopoints for the disposal of recyclable waste collected at sea by fishermen (plastic cups and bags, beverage packages, cans and styrofoam). These residues, collected at sea or produced on boats, are sent to land by fishermen, who place them in Algar containers.

The project, coordinated by Docapesca, brings together organizations of producers, shipowners and fishermen, as well as public and private entities from the ports, aiming at improving the environmental conditions of the Portuguese coastal zone. As part of this initiative, 745 vessels are already involved, representing 2,814 fishermen, and almost 80 producer organizations, associations, municipalities, waste collection companies, NGOs and port administrations.

“Fishing for a Sea without Waste” has also been implemented in Peniche (2016), Ilha da Culatra and Aveiro (2017), Figueira da Foz and Sesimbra (2018), Póvoa de Varzim, Setúbal, Matosinhos, Sagres, Portimão, Quarteira , Olhão, Nazaré and Sines (2019), in Cascais and Viana do Castelo (2020).

Algar acquired two new automated ecopoints wash units. The investment makes it possible to wash and sanitize surface ecopoints for selective collection in the Algarve region, complying with the “container washing” indicator, inherent to the “quality of water and waste services provided to users”.

Following this acquisition, AW Machinery BV and SOMA - Environmental Solutions, Lda., suppliers of the referred equipment, appointed Algar to indicate a local social institution with the objective of making a donation, within the scope of its social responsibility, for the development of projects that benefit the population of the region.

The Food Bank Against Hunger in the Algarve (BACF-Algarve) was the chosen institution, having received a donation of 6,000.00€. With this gesture, the aforementioned consortium seeks to set the tone for other companies to follow their example, helping this or other local institutions, which are increasingly sought after by underprivileged families.

BACF-Algarve, is an institution that fights waste, recovering food surpluses to take them to those who have food shortages, mobilizing people and companies, who voluntarily join their cause.

The institution currently supports 23,799 people through 116 institutions in the region. Between 1 April and 31 August this year, 1,878,809 units of product were delivered, amounting to 1,845,274.40€, compared to 2019, when 1,195,540 units were delivered, amounting to 1,189,804.28€. The COVID19 pandemic had an impact on the increase in the quantities distributed in the order of 57% and an increase in the food support provided with an additional 655,470.12€.

EGF won the second place in the ISWA Communication Award - International Solid Waste Association 2020 with the communication campaign #PREVENTCOVID19.

This international award recognizes the excellence of waste communication campaigns that increase public awareness and promote sustainable waste and resource management.

Finland ranked first with the HSY Waste Escape Room project from Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY, and Scotland ranked third with the Zero Waste Scotland Trial Period project.

ISWA is an international association, of which EGF - Environment Global Facilities is a member, that aims to develop waste management in a sustainable manner worldwide, promoting resource efficiency through sustainable production and consumption and supporting under development and emerging economies.

This is the first year that Portugal is classified on the winners podium.

Valorlis promoted in the academic year 2019/2020, within the scope of EGF's Group program, Ecovalor, the “Separa e Ganha no Amarelo e Azul” contest, where schools were challenged to promote the collection of recyclable household waste, namely plastic packaging and metal and/or paper/cardboard, collected by Valorlis and later sent for recycling.

For their excellent environmental performance, 62 schools in the Valorlis intervention area will be awarded at the beginning of this school year, with more than 3 thousand euros to acquire pedagogical action materials, material goods or services.

During the academic year 2019/2020, participating schools sent 71 tons of recyclable waste for recycling: 50 tons of paper/cardboard and 21 tons of plastic/metal. The schools that separated the most kilograms per student were: Assanha da Paz Kindergarten in Almagreira, Pombal and Outeiro da Fonte Basic School in Carvide, Leiria, with 77 kg per student and 62 kg per student, respectively.

“This program aimed to increase recycling habits in schools and the evolving community, boosting the daily practice of separating recyclable waste", explains Marta Guerreiro, Executive Director of Valorlis and adds: "We are very satisfied with these results, which have been improving from year to year and we highlight the involvement of teachers, students and their families in promoting good environmental practices in institutions. The environment wins and the schools involved win! ”.

In 2018 EGF's Group began the "Toneladas de Ajuda (Tons of Aid)" campaign. Valorsul opened the doors of its sorting centers and ecocenters to receive recyclable materials from institutions and, in return, started to provide financial assistance to the participating associations.

DOUBLE MISSION: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL

At Valorsul, more than 60 institutions are registered for the "Toneladas de Ajuda" campaign. Since its launch, the campaign's financial aid has already exceeded 94 thousand euros, managing to send around 475 tons of materials, delivered by the institutions, to recycle.

Valorsul thus joined its environmental mission with the social mission of these institutions. All non-profit institutions interested in participating in the “Toneladas de Ajuda” campaign can contact Valorsul, or EGF at comunicacao@egf.pt. Any person or company can contribute by delivering recyclable materials for this cause.

QUANTITIES IN THE 1ST HALF OF 2020 EXCEED EXPECTATIONS

In the first half of 2020, "Toneladas de Ajuda" raised 138 tons of recyclable material, a result above expectations, considering that deliveries were suspended during the state of emergency, due to the pandemic COVID-19. 2 tons of glass, 87 tons of paper and cardboard and 49 tons of plastic and metal were delivered by 53 institutions. As a financial contribution, Valorsul handed over 25 thousand euros depending on the quantities delivered.

SUCCESS CASES

At Valorsul, one of the most successful cases of this campaign is the case of the O Dom Maior Association, which offers various therapies and physiotherapy for children.

"We must recognize this work, from these people who are dedicated to separating the materials for this campaign, which, in some cases, are families that live in very complicated situations and with increased responsibilities", says Sofia Terceiro, President of the Association, "In many situations of absent health insurance, this is the only means that makes the necessary treatments feasible."

This association was one of the first to join the campaign and has mobilized many people and even companies that send materials to Valorsul that revert in therapies and medicines for their users.

The Bucelas Voluntary Firefighters joined "Toneladas de Ajuda" in 2019 and, for some years now, they added, to their work for the community, an environmental aspect that brings benefits to the population they serve and also to the corporation.

In order to improve the quality of service provided, Resinorte, EGF's concessionaire in the North Central region of Portugal, is replacing a large part of its selective collection equipment.

With an investment of more than 424 thousand euros, Resinorte is proceeding to replace its oldest and/or damaged ecopoint network (about 12%).

This exchange in equipment will improve the quality of public service provided, as well as facilitate the recycling of waste by citizens, since these new equipments have larger “mouths” that make easier for the deposition of waste within the ecopoint.

The project started in July 2020, and is expected to be completed within the coming months, with the replacement of 400 recycling waste containers.

As part of the EGF Group's campaign, Toneladas de Ajuda (Tons of Aid), the Food Bank of Cova da Beira delivered 55 tonnes of paper/cardboard to Resiestrela, which will be reverted in 5.5 tonnes of food that will later be donated to social support institutions in the municipalities of Belmonte, Celorico da Beira, Covilhã, Fundão, Guarda, Manteigas, Seia, Gouveia, Pinhel, Sabugal, Trancoso and Meda.

Resiestrela, a company with a strong sense of social responsibility, will continue to boost the Toneladas de Ajuda campaign, in order to provide financial support to Social Solidarity Institutions that are currently enrolled and for those that demonstrate an intention to participate, as when delivering plastic packaging, metal, paper, cardboard and glass, the participating institutions will receive a financial contribution.

The materials to be recycled can be left directly at the company's facilities, in the Fundão Sorting Center, and at the seven transfer stations and ecocenters in the municipalities of Almeida, Celorico da Beira, Guarda, Penamacor, Pinhel, Sabugal and Trancoso.

Social Solidarity Institutions who want to participate must register via email to marta.alcada@resiestrela.pt or at comunicacao@egf.pt. After receiving the data, a customer file is opened, which works as a current account for each institution in order to quantify the weight of the material delivered. A weighing slip will be available for any delivery. Deliveries made by other entities are also accepted, provided they are made on behalf of social solidarity institution already registered in the campaign.

For the Executive Director of Resiestrela, Nuno Heitor: “These results were only possible due to the active participation of the community and the Food Bank in this campaign, involving companies in the region to deliver recyclable materials on behalf of the social support entities registered in Toneladas de Ajuda".

The investments made by Amarsul, in the last two years, in vehicles and recycling waste containers, resulted in a significant increase in recyclables collected selectively in the first half of 2020.

It was, therefore, understood, the need to ensure the consequent increase in the processing capacity of the Automated Sorting Plant of Seixal's Ecopark; a unit intended for the separation of plastic and metal packaging (yellow waste container) which the citizens deposit at the recycling bins.

The 1st phase of Amarsul's Automated Sorting Plant modernization and expansion started in July, and is expected to be concluded this month, considering an investment of around 1 million euros integrated in Amarsul's strategy regarding the promotion of multi-material recycling.

The Automated Sorting Plant will have a new line with equipment that will allow processing from 4 ton/h to 6 ton/h of material. To this end, some critical equipment is being replaced which will allow the increment of recycled materials taken up and the achievement of the recovery goals originating from the selective collection, as well as the goal of preparation for reuse and recycling set for the Amarsul.

This project intends to provide this packaging waste processing unit with a processing capacity capable of fitting the increment of selective collection envisaged for the horizon of the Strategic Plan for Urban Waste (PERSU 2020) that establishes the national goals for the selective collection of waste. Amarsul's goal is 45kg/inhabitant/year, however, by June 2020, recyclable waste equivalent to 52kg/inhabitant/year had already been collected by the company.

Amarsul is in line with its essential values, being in the forefront of technology and management and providing a quality service for the citizens of Setúbal's Peninsula.

ERSUC has launched the “Mercados a Reciclar” campaign dedicated to the markets in its area of ​​intervention. This innovative campaign aims to encourage the separation of recyclables in markets, which will allow them to be sent for recycling, avoiding the dispersion of waste in adjacent spaces.

With this campaign, ERSUC intends to reward the “Mercados a Reciclar” award to participating markets, which stand out for their commitment to reducing the environmental impact resulting from the market, promoting proper management of waste.

“Mercados a Reciclar” represents a market with a character of responsibility and concern for sustainability, which will be a differentiating element.

“Municipalities request our collaboration in the markets, places of great waste production, which often cause problems when carried by the wind, this campaign appears in the dynamics of ERSUC's proximity to their municipalities, in solving common problems”, said Miguel Ferreira, ERSUC's administrator.

An ERSUC team will be in the markets to sensitize marketers to the correct separation of recyclables, providing means that allow this separation.

The campaign started in partnership with the Municipality of Estarreja, in the Municipal Market of Estarreja, and will soon be extended to other municipalities.

Amarsul promoted - in the academic year of 2019/2020 - the 2nd edition of EGF's Group program, ECOVALOR, which has the competitions “Separa e Ganha no Azul e Amarelo” and which aims to promote the correct separation of recyclable waste in educational establishments, as well as creating recycling habits with the school community.

This project, co-financed by POSEUR - Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources, aims to increase and optimize the quantities of recyclables separated at source.

86 enrolled educational establishments were involved in the whole process, reaching a universe of 61,500 participating students. With this program, the recyclable waste collected goes back to the production cycle and becomes raw material and, at the same time, schools are rewarded for their good environmental performance.

The contest took place between October 2019 and June 2020. During this period, the participating schools separated and sent 46,566 kg of plastic and metal packaging and 106,806 kg of paper and cardboard for recycling, even though this edition lasted 2 months less than the usual, due to the early closure of schools resulting from COVID-19's pandemic. However, the commitment shown by the educational establishments allowed to increase the separated quantities by 153,372 Kg. The whole school community is to be congratulated!

For its excellent performance, Amarsul will award 60 prizes to educational establishments that managed to reach the minimum of 70 plastic/metal packaging bags and/or 1 ton of paper/cardboard during the academic year 2019/2020.

This type of contest is part of Amarsul's environmental education offer, which also includes visits to the facilities, provision of information materials on recycling and internal and external awareness actions, which reached more than 4,700 participants.

Given the success of the 2nd edition of the "Separa e Ganha" contest, the initiative will continue for the next school year. Find out how to enroll your school HERE.

Amarsul is carrying out a pilot project in the Municipality of Alcochete, which consists of replacing the lids of the yellow and blue 1,100-liter containers made available to residents, with others with larger openings, to facilitate the disposal of recyclable waste.

Amarsul was, at the end of last month, at Largo Barão de Samora Correia, together with the Municipality of Alcochete, following the work on replacing the container lids that make up the ecological islands in this municipality. All households in the municipality were informed of this change by post mail.

This change will make it possible to assess whether it is possible to facilitate the work of those who separate waste to recycle, without leading to the undue deposition of undifferentiated waste in containers intended only for recyclables. The results of this pilot project will allow decisions to be made that will be extended to all municipalities where Amarsul has placed this new typology of containers, that is, Barreiro, Moita, Palmela, Sesimbra and in the eastern part of the municipality of Montijo.

As for the deposition of bulky waste such as mattresses, furniture, sofas and the like, as well as tree branches, garden scraps and recyclable waste, this should be carried out at the Ecocenters that Amarsul has at the disposal of the population. In Alcochete, the Ecocenter is located on Caminho Municipal 1004, close to the Industrial Area of ​​Batel. The reception of this type of material is free and is available for the population to visit from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 12:30pm, closing on Sundays and holidays.

The project was supported and co-financed by POSEUR - Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources and aims to increase and optimize the quantities of recyclables separated at source.

In a pandemic year there are no EcoEvents, but here at EGF we recognize the organizations that in 2019 recycled the most and are already preparing for an even more sustainable 2021. In 2019, 377 EcoEvents were held, with a total of 11.8 million participants.

In these events, 517 tons of packaging were collected: 210 tons of plastic, metal and beverage packages; 172 tons of glass and 135 tons of paper and cardboard.

Among the 377 events held last year in the EGF area, 3 EcoEvents were distinguished with higher values of collectable material:

Valorminho was the company that collected more glass (39 tons), ERSUC more plastic and metal (63 tons) and Algar more paper and cardboard (29 tons).

EcoEvents is an initiative of EGF's Group, supported by POSEUR (Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources), for collection and recovery of recyclable material and the adoption of environmental measures that promote appropriate environmental behavior.

Throughout the country, EGF concessionaires registered events with higher quantities of recyclables, presented below through the Top 3 of Regional EcoEvents 2019:

The regional rankings, and top EGF, can be seen on social media pages of all EGF concessionaires on Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram.

Amarsul made available, on its page, the safety measures that must be taken into account when going to the beach. By following these measures, the population will be promoting a safe and sustainable way of going to the beach. Keep social distancing in the first place, and don't forget to recycle always and everywhere, whether that be by the sea or by the river.

Last Friday, Valorlis gave prizes to students of ISDOM's (Instituto Superior Dom Dinis) Design Licentiate Degree, within the scope of the project “Recycling and Design together for the Environment”, started in the previous school year.

This partnership resulted from the challenge launched by Valorlis to students of ISDOM's Graphic and Industrial Design course and consisted of making an artistic intervention in the large containers used in EcoEvents in the six municipalities in Valorlis' intervention area, under the theme of environmental sustainability and recycling.

The intervention containers were showcased at ISDOM allowing students to observe the result of their work. The decorated containers will be used in the EcoEvents promoted in the six municipalities of Valorlis' intervention area, for the disposal of recyclable packaging.

After the delivery of prizes, the students presented the proposals developed under the "Recycle + Glass" project and the "Reduce disposable plastic" campaign, continuing the partnership established between the two institutions.

The partnership established between Valorlis and ISDOM "allowed to promote the students' creative work and give them the opportunity to intervene in real contexts", explained Cristina Simões, ISDOM Director. Marta Lóia Guerreiro, Executive Director of Valorlis, added that “it is increasingly relevant to involve university students in the reality of companies and establish synergies in the development of projects that contribute to the preservation of the environment”.

EGF, a MOTA-ENGILcompany responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste in 174 municipalities in Portugal, recorded, in the first half of 2020, an increase in selective collection of 7% compared to the same period of 2019.

The figures for the 1st semester are marked by the pandemic - in the first two months of the year companies were registering very significant increases in selective collection, in the order of 19%.

With the pandemic and confinement, the figures for the first semester show that the reception of undifferentiated waste decreased by 3%, but that, even so, the selective collection increased by 7%.

This growth in selective collection, which was expected to be greater before the pandemic, results from a high investment program carried out, integrated into concessionaires applications, co-financed by the Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources (POSEUR), and the priority given to selective collection activity of packaging waste, remodeling and modernization of infrastructures and awareness campaigns among the population, which resulted in an effective and growing participation of citizens in the recycling habits. The EGF companies that registered the highest growth were Amarsul (33%), Suldouro (25%) and Resinorte (23%).

As for common/household waste a 3% decrease was registered with significant differences between companies that grew and others that decreased in growth compared to the same period of 2019. These differences are explained by the drastic decline in tourism, the shortage in commercial activity, displacement of populations to nearby municipalities in homeworking activities and the decrease in bulky waste collection.

Analyzing the figures for the first half of EGF, it can be said that in the beginning of 2020, a year of greater recycling growth was anticipated in Portugal, but this evolution is being conditioned by the pandemic by COVID19.

After some improvements, as to make selective waste disposal more appealing, the Estarreja Ecocenter opens its doors to the population. The opening of the ecocenter is part of ERSUC's strategy of being closer to the population and, in collaboration with the municipalities, seeking to respond to their needs.

Estarreja's Ecocenter is integrated in the Estarreja Transfer Station and is available for all citizens to deposit various types of waste such as paper and cardboard, plastic, glass, bulky waste, metals, green waste and electrical and electronic equipment waste.

"This is a way to continue to spread environmental awareness among the entire population, giving them more opportunities and means for that to happen", says Miguel Ferreira, ERSUC's administrator.

Estarreja's Ecocenter is open from Monday to Saturday between 06:30am and 1:00pm and between 3:30pm and 10:00pm.

Mota-Engil Group released its 2019 Sustainability Report, entitled "Multiple Views, The Same Direction".

In this edition you can read information about the Group's alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals; about Ethics, Partners and Business Integrity; the Group commitment to Sustainability and consult all environmental performance indicators that make the Group a brand of excellence worldwide.

The report, produced in accordance with the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), is available for consultation only in Portuguese for now (English version's coming soon) and in video format in the player below. 

The Portuguese Secretary General for the Environment and Climate Action presented, on July 07th, the Strategic Guidelines for Biowaste.

The Ministry's guidelines point out selective collection and treatment solutions and predict the articulation of the several municipalities with Urban Waste Management Systems, with interested parties and with the citizens, as to return to the land what belongs to the land, in a circular economy aspect, fulfilling, at least, 5 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 20/30: #2 - Zero Hunger, #7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, #12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, #13 - Climate Action and #15 - Life on Land.

EGF advises interested parties to learn about the initiative through the plenary session VIDEO that was broadcasted live during the event.

660 tons of recyclable packaging is the number collected by Algar in schools of Algarve, through the “Separa e Ganha” contest. The initiative was promoted under the EGF Group project, Ecovalor, in which 117 schools participated, representing a total school population of 42,593 students.

The “Separa e Ganha” contest, consists of a competition between institutions of any level of education and size in the same municipality, which aims to increase the quantities of recyclable waste collected and raise the awareness of the school community about the correct use of recycling bins.

The contest ran from October 2019 until May 2020. During this period, the participating schools separated and deposited in the recycling containers: 230,574 kg of glass packaging, 246,315 kg of paper/cardboard packaging and 183,045 kg of plastic/metal packaging.

Algar will now award prizes to educational establishments that have achieved a minimum of 1 ton of plastic/metal and/or 1 ton of paper/cardboard and/or 1 ton of glass, during the academic year 2019/20.

Some schools also separated waste from electrical and electronic equipment, having collected a total of 6,863 kg, so they will receive an extra bonus.

Due to the enormous success of this 2nd edition of “Separa e Ganha” contest, the initiative will continue in the next school year. Algar has already started receiving applications from schools that have expressed an interest in anticipating the submission of their application, filling out the membership form to guarantee their place. If your school wishes to proceed in the same way, you can consult all the information available on the Algar website or, alternatively, use the following contacts: Linha Verde 800 203 251 | email: gci@algar.com.pt.

If you want to enroll your school and it is not part of Algar's concession area, you can contact the email - ecovalor@egf.pt - to check your eligibility for another location belonging to EGF.

Valorlis is reinforcing the placement of underground waste separation and recycling units in Marinha Grande, taking into account the good receptivity of the project co-financed by POSEUR - Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources, initiated in July 2019. The project contemplates the placement of 15 new units to separate recyclable waste in the locations of Forno da Telha, Gaeiras and Outeirinhos, in the municipality of Marinha Grande.

The Underground Waste Separation and Recycling Units project - Selective Proximity Collection - is a pilot project, which aims to bring waste containers closer to the population, providing means for separation in places where there are constrainments in placing containers and increasing the quantities of waste sent for recycling.

This project was extended in stages to several locations in the municipality of Marinha Grande, with a total of 684 smaller waste containers (228 underground waste separation and recycling units) being placed to separate recyclable waste by the population in the localities of: Amieira, Albergaria, Marinha Pequena, Pero Neto and Trout, Comeira, Guarda Nova, Ordem and Portela, Embra, Forno da Telha, Gaeiras and Outeirinhos.

Valorlis has been reinforcing its waste containers network, bringing recyclable containers closer to the population, in order to make the separation of this waste more comfortable. In some areas of Marinha Grande this reinforcement is being executed by replacing traditional waste containers for waste containers with less capacity but placed closer to each home and in greater numbers.

This change was monitored on the ground by Valorlis' teams that sensitized the residents and clarified all doubts regarding the separation of recyclable waste, helping them to deposit and separate correctly in recycling waste containers.

Marta Guerreiro, Executive Director of Valorlis, indicates that “the results of this project, regarding the quality and quantity of the waste collected, have been very satisfactory, which leads us to consider, for the next investment plan, the expansion of the project to other municipalities in the intervention area of Valorlis” .

Algar is reinforcing its selective collection activity, estimating the increase in waste production in the Algarve region during summer, motivated by tourists influx.

In order to respond effectively to the growth in production of deposited packaging in the recycling bins, the company is mobilizing human resources and equipment for the selective collection activity, namely:

• Temporary workers recruitment for Selective Collection Activity reinforcement (drivers and assistants). This reinforcement it is intended to reach 63 teams;
• 6 new vehicles that integrate the fleet park of recycling bins' selective collection, totaling 31 vehicles;
• Reinforcement of recycling bins collection, resorting to external service providers;

In order for all of us to collaborate, Algar makes available the following means for separation and recyclable waste deposition:
 

• 3800 recycling bins distributed across 16 Algarvian Municipalities;
• 13 ecocenters for receiving large quantities of recyclable and/or larger packaging waste (three in Loulé, two in Albufeira, one in Alcoutim, Aljezur, Castro Marim, Lagos, Tavira and Vila do Bispo).
• “Algarlinha” phone service (information 800 203 251), made up of teams and vehicles that ensure the free collection of recyclable packaging in the participating commercial establishments.

Algar works in partnership with the municipalities for a more sustainable Algarve.

This partnership's main goal is to improve the articulation between the entities of the region and Algar in the resolution of some operational constraints that arise, mainly, in periods of greater population concentration in the Algarve.
The following measures stand out:

• Sensitize the population in compliance with good practices, namely, alert and prevent parking near the recycling bins, a situation that makes collection impossible;
• Control and inspection of incorrect deposition of waste at the recycling bins.

In this way, it is possible to define common methodologies both in urban cleaning and waste collection, through concerted efforts, optimization of resources and integration of contributions.

Do you know what happens to your recyclables after they are deposited in the recycling bin?

The different materials, after being collected by Algar in the recycling bins, are sent to the Sorting Units (Loulé and Portimão), where they undergo a more detailed separation.

The flow of the yellow container (plastic and metal) is separated and baled in different types: PET, HDPE, Film, EPS (styrofoam), Mixed Plastics, ECAL (cardboard packaging for liquid foods), Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals.

The material collected in the blue container (paper and cardboard) is separated from contaminants such as grease-soiled papers and others, and then packaged.

The EcoPraias campaign is back for another edition to "recycle by the sea" in the Setúbal Peninsula. Promoted by Amarsul, the campaign returns to encourage citizens who visit the beaches, as well as concessionaires who explore the beaches, to be more sustainable, adopting good practices for separating waste and enhancing the use of existing recycling equipment.

The increase in the population during the bathing season (in the months between June and September), on the beaches in the area covered by Amarsul, has a relevant impact on the production of waste and, therefore, an important responsibility in the fulfillment of national objectives in terms of promotion of the circular economy and territorial enhancement.

The “Amarsul Eco Praias” Campaign, in partnership with the Municipalities of Almada, Sesimbra and Setúbal, provides a network of recycling bins and awareness-raising actions that alert the population visiting the region, to maintain social distance and to recycle by the sea, routing their waste to the right containers and diverting it from the oceans and landfills. The environmental awareness campaign will be implemented on 37 beaches and, during the bathing season, services, equipments and bags will be made available.

Awareness-raising actions will be carried out at the entrance of each beach - respecting the rules of social distance - between the 4th of July and the 30th of August, from 10am to 12pm and from 3pm to 5pm (Saturdays and Sundays), distributed as it follows:

ALMADA - 32 BEACHES: Albatroz | Lorosae | Leblon | Bicho d’Agua | Sunset | Kontiki | Pé Nu Golfinho | Praia do CDS / Dr. Bernard | Tarquínio Beach - Paraíso | Red Dragon Beach | Praia Nova / Espaço 20 | Mata | Grain of Sand + Riviera | Casa do Sol + Rainha | Castle (Manduca + Yamba) | Fisherman's Hut (Delmare + Half Meter) | Princess | Rei (Hula Hula) | Morena (Borda d’Agua) | Mermaid (Waikiki) | Infante (Turtle) | Bela Vista (Casa da Praia) | Terminus | American (Move On) | Aroeira (Beach Bar) | Beach hut | Ramp | Kailua | Oh, Ti João - 1 | Areias da Telha | Bamboo

SESIMBRA - 2 BEACHES: California | Gold

SETÚBAL - 3 BEACHES: Albarquel | Figueirinha | Creiro

With this project, Amarsul intends to continue to increase the amount of packaging sent for recycling, as well as the offer of selective collection points on the beaches, leveraging the civic act of separating packaging waste by the general population and thus reinforcing the adoption of more sustainable practices, under the motto “let's recycle by the sea!”.

ISWA - International Solid Waste Association celebrates its 50th anniversary this year!

ISWA is an international association, of which EGF - Environment Global Facilities is a member, which aims to develop waste management in a sustainable manner worldwide, promoting resource efficiency through sustainable production and consumption and supporting emerging and under development economies.

This year a special annual report was published outlining the association's past most important events and envisioning future developments in the waste management and treatment sector.

Ana Loureiro, Communication Director of EGF, left a testimonial that can be consulted HERE.

This year, Valorsul offered schools and institutions € 45,000 in prizes under the Ecovalor Program!

“Separa e Ganha no Azul e Amarelo” was the challenge launched to schools and institutions. During the year, Valorsul asked that they separated the plastic and metal packaging and the paper and cardboard packaging. This project allowed the school community to gain recycling habits and, at the same time, to be awarded by their efforts by Valorsul.

The 2019/2020 edition, which has now ended, mobilized 295 schools from kindergarten to secondary education and 26 social institutions. This was the most participated edition ever, covering 86,000 participants, who turned out to be recycling enthusiasts.

Overall, 780 tons of recyclable material were collected, although this edition lasted two months less than usual, due to the early closure of schools and other participating establishments. This performance is noteworthy. Everyone involved deserves to be recognized, from students, assistants, teachers, technicians, users to collection operators. Everyone is to be congratulated!

For their excellent performance, 450 cash prizes were awarded to schools and institutions, reaching € 45,000. With these awards, some schools have the possibility now to purchase new equipment and resources, for example, for gymnastics, for the playground, library, classroom, etc.

The materials collected by the students go for recycling. With part of the collected plastic it will be possible, for example, to produce 226 thousand new t-shirts. And aluminum will be enough to make, for instance, 808 bicycles.

These contests are part of Valorsul's environmental education offer - the Ecovalor Program - which also include visits, informative materials on recycling and awareness actions on the waste cycle, which reached more than 9,700 students.

Amarsul, EGF's concessionaire in 9 municipalities of Setúbal's Peninsula, showed a 36% growth in the forwarding of waste for recycling in the first half of 2020. Even in a pandemic period, Amarsul guaranteed the minimum services of its activity, having fulfilled its waste recovery mission in the municipalities of Alcochete, Almada, Barreiro, Moita, Montijo, Palmela, Seixal, Sesimbra and Setúbal.

The Strategic Plan for Urban Waste (PERSU 2020) establishes national goals for the selective collection of waste, being the one of Amarsul's of 45kg/inhabitant/year. This is the amount of waste that each citizen must separate and send to the correct container, whether it is plastic/metal, paper/cardboard or glass packaging. These are challenging goals, but by May 2020, Amarsul had already collected recyclable waste equivalent to 52kg/inhabitant/year.

This significant increase in Selective Collection in all Municipalities in the area covered by Amarsul, is the result of the investment that Amarsul has developed in the selective multi-material collection of packaging waste in recent years in vehicles, recycling bins, containers and in environmental awareness campaigns, bringing equipment closer to the population, to encourage recycling in the region.

Serving more than 780 thousand inhabitants, Amarsul contributed positively to the recovery of waste, with an increase of 4 thousand tons of recyclable waste collected: 47% of plastic and metal, 43% of paper and cardboard and 17% of glass. The increase in selective collection was transversal to all municipalities, having shown better results in the collection of plastic and metal packaging, as well as paper and cardboard packaging.

These numbers reveal a greater environmental awareness for the importance of recycling within the family household, but also in the workplace, which is manifested in the correct deposition of waste and use of recycling bins. This waste will then be sorted and forwarded for recycling, gaining a new life cycle.

With the return to normality, Amarsul's teams continue to develop container cleaning and sanitation actions using an appropriate disinfectant product and have seen their training in hygiene and safety at work reinforced.

Amarsul finished 2019 with an annual capitation of 39 kg of packaging waste separated per inhabitant and with twice the collection points for recyclable waste. In 2020, with the reinforcement of the coverage of collection points made, and even in a pandemic period, the company expects to continue to grow in all municipalities in the region.

Today, Mota-Engil Group is celebrating its 74th anniversary and a history full of successes!

Founded in 1946, Mota-Engil Group is a multi-purpose organization, running in several operational areas, from construction and infrastructure management to waste treatment, transport concession and mining.

With areas of expertise in such different segments, the company today marks its continuous growth with an integrating vision of innovation, ambition and group spirit.

Mota-Engil is the majority shareholder of EGF, which, in turn, is part of its intervention strategy in the Environmental area through the collection and treatment of waste.

Happy Anniversary Mota-Engil!

EGF participated in the "Waste 2 Business" webinar cycle promoted by APEMETA - Portuguese Association of Environmental Technology Companies.

The company was represented by Filipa Pantaleão, Technical Director of EGF, who, together with other speakers, discussed the topic “Perspectives on Bio-Waste and Equipments”.

The online seminar started at 9:30 am, ending at 12:30 pm, and included interventions from companies such as LIPOR, RESITEJO, ARQUICONSULT, Cascais Ambiente and Universidade do Minho.

Valorlis, EGF's concessionaire for the Leiria region, is implementing a new vehicle weighing system using RFID technology - radio frequency identification - in all weighbridge scales of the headquarters. The possibility of adopting self-services in the remaining scales at the company's transfer stations is being analysed. 

The vehicles are weighed in self-service on Valorlis' weighbridge scales using an identification card that originates an advanced management of data and impressions.

This weighing system, in addition to allowing faster and more reliable data, also makes it possible to reduce the environmental impact associated with vehicle weighing, since the paper weighing slip is replaced by a small ticket.

Marta Guerreiro, Chief Executive Officer of Valorlis points out that: "This measure is part of Valorlis' commitment to continuous improvement of internal processes and will allow savings in terms of fuel and paper consumption, contributing to greater sustainability, along with others measures implemented such as replacing regular lighting with LED lighting and optimizing selective collection circuits".

Algar is participating today, at 3 pm, in the webinar "Excellence in External Communication", organized by APCE - Portuguese Association for Corporate Communication, together with other winners of the 2020 APCE's Grand Prix in the area of External Communication Campaigns.

The External Communication category elected winners for the Industry sector (Primary and Secondary) and for the Services sector (Tertiary). Algar won in the Services sector with the campaign: "In the Algarve be Algarvio: separate!".

Recall here the victory of Algarve's concessionaire:

In this online seminar, Maria João Carolino (Communications Manager at Algar) is joined by Frederico Roberto (Executive Creative Director of the Interweave Agency) and Teresa Alvarez (Head of Communication and Sustainability Division at SIMAS Oeiras and Amadora). The conversation will be moderated by Paula Portugal Mendes (Director General of APCE).

The webinar can be watched on the ZOOM platform or on Facebook.   

Algar acquired 6 new vehicles for selective collection of plastic/metal and paper/cardboard packaging waste, in an investment of one million euros.

The vehicles have a back entry for collection, which allows for easy access and deposition of materials that are collected in the areas surrounding the ecopoints.

These equipments have a set of characteristics that substantially upgraded the daily working conditions of drivers, in terms of comfort and safety. For:

Improved driver's safety

• The vehicle has low flooring to access the cab (two steps), which facilitates the entry and exit of the driver, significantly reducing the effort spent on an intense work day;
• All handling of the crane that collects the ecopoint is carried out from the ground, so the driver does not need to ascend to upper platforms, reducing the risk of work accidents, namely, falls and sprains in the lower and upper limbs;
• The full air suspension, with a lifting and lowering function on all axles, is also beneficial for the driver's spine and joints.

More road traffic safety

• The driver's seat positioned at low height, the panoramic windshield, the hinged door, on the auxiliary side, made entirely of glass, and the mirror system, allow for the observation of the entire area surrounding the vehicle;
• The hinged door to the inside of the vehicle does not require any additional exterior space and protects crew members as well as road users.

These vehicles also allow for more battery savings and low environmental impact. The combination of a powerful and particularly quiet engine, with the comfortable 6-speed automatic Allison gearbox (FuelSense® technology), provides the right performance in any driving and working situation, even at low speed, and creates the best conditions for driving quietly and confidently.

The Selective Collection activity thus has a fleet of 31 vehicles that ensure the collection of approximately 3,800 ecopoints distributed across the 16 municipalities in the region.

Today we celebrate World Oceans Day, originated in the UN Conference for the Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

To mark this day, the CCOceanos - Ocean Communication Center organized a series of lectures under the seal "CCOceanos: Decade of the Ocean" bringing together Portuguese-speaking speakers who will address updated information and knowledge related to the UN initiative: The Decade of Oceanic Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

The lectures will be broadcasted from the National Museum of Natural History and Science of Lisbon and can be watched via LiveStream HERE at 6 PM.

This year's World Environment Day is guaranteed to be lots of fun with the return of your favorite game.

Recycle BinGo 2 is here!

After the environment's friendliest game first version success, here comes version 2.0, improved and with more features.

In this new version, you will be able to learn in the Ecopédia, an ecological encyclopedia that will teach you everything about recycling; meet the Recycle BinGo family, full of new pets that will become your friends, play mini-games to entertain yourself and marvel at the app augmented reality features.

Recycle BinGo works like a game, which makes the recycling experience much more fun and rewarding! The main mission is to visit our usual recycling bin. Through geolocation our smartphone knows that we are close to it.

When checking in, we unlock a set of friendly pets, the EcoGifts, with which we fill out our BinGo cards. Every time we complete a card we earn EcoMoedas - which we can exchange for fantastic prizes, like movie tickets, discount vouchers, and more.

What is it?

Recycle BinGo is a mobile app from EGF, that had its first version financed by the Environmental Fund of the Ministry of the Environment, whose objective is to entertain and educate Portuguese families around the theme of Recycling, offering prizes to those who recycle the most.

Recycle BinGo 2 is accessible in all EGF Group concession areas and is available on the AppStore and GooglePlay.

You will not want to miss this adventure.

We count on you, jump to BinGo and help us spread the recycling bug!

Know everything about this super sustainable game on Recycle BinGo and on Facebook.

Algar will participate in the Webinar "Waste Management in times of COVID-19", June 5th, to celebrate the International Environment Day. The company will be represented by Engineer Miguel Nunes, responsible for the technical, research and development areas of the concessionaire.

The event will take place from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm and includes the following participations: Paulo Costa from Fagar, Renata Fleck from Sciaena and Carla Martins from LinkedGreen.

Sciaena, a Portuguese marine conservation NGO, together with Linked.Green promote this event within the scope of the United Nations #SDG14, concerning the protection of our oceans and, more specifically, the sub-objective 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, especially from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. It aims to share information, scientific knowledge and solutions on the problem of plastic pollution.

The complete program of the event can be consulted HERE.

Participation is free, but prior registration is required via email - sciaena@sciaena.org to receive the access link the day before the event.

Valorlis, EGF's concessionaire for the Leiria region, will mark International Environment Day with the presentation, in its social media networks, of the book "Eu Conto com a Reciclagem”, recently published.

The book brings together the winning narratives of the short story contest “Conta Reciclar” inspired by the theme of Recycling, which involved students and teachers from the 1st cycle to secondary education and also adult population.

The book illustrations were developed by the regional illustrators: Ana Barateiro, Leonel Brites, Rui Lobo, Rui Pedro Lourenço and Tânia Bailão Lopes, who illustrated the first three tales classified from each ranking.

On June 5th, the winning stories will be acted online by artists from the region. Márcia Vieira, Nídia Nair, Paulo Costa, Tânia Bailão Lopes and Vânia Silva promise a very lively day for all who follow Valorlis on social media.

Marta Lóia Guerreiro, Delegated Administrator of Valorlis, points out that “to mark the success of this initiative, and so that the winning stories can teach the message of recycling to other children, young people and adults, we have recently advanced with the publication of the stories in book form and decided to make its presentation online on World Environment Day.” She also adds that "everyone is invited to access Valorlis' Facebook page on June 5th and to follow the program we have prepared for the population".

Today, the National Energy Day, is celebrated in Portugal. The commemoration of this date aims to alert the population to the need to develop sustainable energy efficiency strategies.

According to the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (PNAEE): "Member States of the European Union have committed by 2020 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, to increase the proportion of renewable energy sources in the European Union (EU) energy mix by an equal percentage and to reach the 20% target set for energy efficiency".

To contribute to these goals, in 2019, EGF exported 501 GWh of energy from domestic waste, 63% from energy recovery, 29% from landfill biogas and 8% from organic recovery units, which corresponds to an export that exceeds 2018's values in more than 4.8%.

Together we are able to preserve natural resources and enhance the environment, do your part and adopt renewable energy measures!

As part of its communication strategy, Resiestrela, EGF's concessionaire in the Cova da Beira region, launched a digital awareness campaign that focuses on the social networks Instagram and Facebook.

Until the 27th of June, in order to reinforce the role of citizens in recycling, and to alert to the importance of correct management of household waste, several weekly challenges, tips, facts, curiosities and games will be launched in the company's networks.

At a time when the world is struggling with the COVID-19's pandemic, it is essential to promote a change in mentalities in favor of the environment and to continue strengthening the importance of each citizen's role in recycling.

Together with several entities, Resiestrela intends to reward the most environmentally responsible citizens by offering ecobags, regional products, electronic equipment and even a weekend in an accommodation close to nature.

Join this initiative!

Algar is celebrating 25 years. A quarter of a century full of positive results that place the Algarve above the national average when it comes to the treatment and recovery of its waste. This success is dude to those who work daily at Algar but it is also of its partners. This joint effort makes the difference, and that is what we celebrate and emphasize on this 25th anniversary.

It is Algar's anniversary, but all the Algarvians are to be congratulated: the families; the municipalities; the commerce and, of course, Algar workers. They are to be congratulated because, together with Algar, they helped to make the Algarve one of the regions with the best results in recycling and waste management.

For this reason, Algar decided to promote an online campaign with the theme "Algar: 25 years transforming the Algarve", with the aim of transmitting the importance of the company's work in transforming the Algarve since 1995 and the importance of the Algarve in that same transformation. Thus, the campaign congratulates:

The Algarvian Families

Thank you for contributing and turning packaging into pride.
Algar celebrates 25 years and 507 million kg of recycled packaging.

The Algarvian Municipalities

Thank you for working with Algar to transform waste into quality of life.
Algar celebrates 25 years and 8.8 billions kg of treated waste.

The Algarvian Commerce

Thank you for collaborating and transforming waste into added value.
Algar celebrates 25 years and 73 million kg of separate packaging for recycling.

Algar's Workers

Thank you for, even in adverse situations, maintaining the responsibility of providing a public service, treating and valuing waste, to transform it into products: MATERIALS FOR RECYCLING, ORGANIC COMPOUND AND ELECTRIC ENERGY.

In these 25 years, the company has taken great responsibility in improving the environmental conditions of the Algarve region in the field of urban waste.

The company closed the 22 existing dumping grounds in the region, started its selective collection, recovery and treatment of urban waste activities, boosted job creation (direct and indirect), boosted the local economy, managed to establish bonds of trust and collaboration with the population and consolidated a new paradigm in the operational management of this activity, with evident benefits for the resident population and for tourism in particular, realizing the great objective based on the improvement of the environmental conditions of the largest national tourist region.

Some production indicators of the last 25 years of activity:

• 8.8 million tons of treated waste;
• 507 thousand tons of recovered packaging waste;
• 140 thousand MWh of Energy Produced (through use of the biogas generated in the two landfills), corresponding to the electricity supply of about 28,000 houses, considering the consumption of an average family of 4 people - 5,000 kwh / year;
• 45 thousand tons of “NUTRIVERDE®” compost from the composting process of green waste resulting from the cutting of trees and the maintenance of golf courses and gardens.

Algar has more than 3,500 ecopoints strategically distributed throughout the Algarve region for the voluntary disposal of urban recyclable waste and, also, a fleet of 64 operational vehicles used for selective collection, waste transfer and other support services the population.

For the development of its activity, Algar currently has 428 employees who ensure the operation of the facilities and the treatment and annual recovery of 400 thousand tons of waste received at its facilities.

Waste management in the Algarve, before ALGAR, until 1995:

• The residues were deposited in an anarchic way in 22 dumping grounds, in open land scattered throughout the region, without any control or protection measures for the Environment;
• Leaching waters, from the decomposition of the waste, flowed freely through the land untreated, contaminating the groundwater, the water wells as well as the agricultural soils. Dumps, as a rule, were always self-combusting, with fumes and toxins emanating, causing serious environmental problems and high risks to public health, causing numerous diseases to the population;
• Methane and hydrogen sulphide gas, resulting from the decomposition of waste, were released into the atmosphere polluting the air, increasing the greenhouse effect and causing bad smells and risks to public health, including serious respiratory diseases;
• Urban waste was neither recycled nor recovered;
• Hazardous waste was deposited in dumping grounds without control.

Waste management in the Algarve, after ALGAR:

• ALGAR, for two years, closed, rehabilitated and environmentally upgraded all 22 open dumps in the region;
• Streamlined and implemented the Multimunicipal System for the Valorization and Treatment of Urban Solid Waste, integrating the entire geographical universe of the 16 Municipalities of the Algarve;
• For the development of its activity, ALGAR defined a Technical and Economic Model for the proper management of urban waste in the Algarve, building the necessary infrastructures for Selective Collection, Sorting recyclable packaging, Multimaterial recovery (eg, electrical and electronic equipment , tires, among others), the transfer infrastructures and environmentally friendly facilities for the Treatment, Energy and Organic Valorisation, Composting of greens and the proper final destination of urban waste, namely:

Support facilities and infrastructures:

• 2 Packaging Waste Sorting Centers;
• 8 Waste Transfer Stations;
• 13 Ecocenters;
• 2 Sanitary Landfills;
• 2 Leaching Water Treatment Plants;
• 3 Electroproducer Centers of Electric Energy;
• 3 Green Composting Units;
• 1 Organic Recovery Center;
• 1 Mechanical Treatment Center,
• 1 Environmental Education Center and Environmental Education Vehicle.

Throughout this quarter of a century, the company has promoted and implemented more environmentally sustainable solutions within the responsibility that it holds in its activity of collection, recovery and treatment of urban waste produced in the Algarve. With regard to waste of a different nature, these are subject to different recovery and treatment, according to their characteristics.

ALGAR will continue to invest in the realization of new solutions that incorporate social and environmental gains, contributing in a sustainable way to the value chain under its responsibility. We will seek to continue to be a socially active company and committed to improving the quality of life of citizens.

With the suspension of school attendance activities due to a pandemic by Covid-19, EGF released the Ecovalor Online Program, as a substitute for school attendance initiatives. In order to provide more support to teachers and educators, the program means to promote environmental awareness campaigns by videoconference dedicated to the theme of urban waste, recycling and the impacts of waste management in our lives.

Assembled by monitors of environmental education, Ecovalor awareness campaigns are adapted to various levels of primary, middle and secondary education, targeting the entire school community. This program also presumes participation in the already chosen digital platforms of each school or institution.

The Ecovalor Program aims to promote good environmental practices in learning facilities and institutions throughout the country, rewarding those that show the best performance in the recycling of their used packaging. In 2019, this program reached more than 392.000 students, which sent 2.535 tons of packaging for recycling.

To participate in Ecovalor, you only need to contact the EGF concessionaire responsible for waste management in your area of residence or send an email to: ecovalor@egf.pt.

Algar, the company responsible for Algarve's urban waste recovery and treatment, represented by the Executive Administrator Engineer José Barreto, delivered 263 kg of dairy flours, in a value higher than 1000€, to the Food Bank Against Hunger of Algarve (BACF), represented by Nuno Alves, President of the institution of social solidarity in the region.

This gesture is the result of a partnership between Algar and ENTRAJUDA (Algarve), through the “Separar para Alimentar (Separate to Feed)” campaign. The initiative, which in 2019 celebrated 6 years of existence, was created with the purpose of raising awareness among the population for the importance of recycling and, at the same time, to assist the families that are supported daily by BACF - Algarve, through the delivery of nutritional food for children until 3 years old.

This type of food, motivated by its specificity and higher acquisition values, is less frequent among the donations usually received by the institution.

In 2019, families that generally receive the support of the BACF, delivered their plastic, metal and empty ECAL packaging (carton packaging for liquid food) to BACF-Algarve to be recycled. In return, they will be the ones receiving this kind of assistance.

Campaign's retrospective

This campaign, which lasted from 2013 to 2019, guaranteed the recycling of 49,240 kg of packaging waste and allowed the delivery of 6,000€ in food items. It ended in 2019 giving rise to a new cause: "Toneladas de Ajuda (Tons of Help)", an EGF Group campaign that is currently taking place and that BACF - Algarve has also made a point of embracing.

This campaign aims to value all recyclable waste that the registered institutions want to deliver to the Algar, namely plastic, metal, paper, cardboard and glass packaging, in exchange for a financial contribution.

All of those who wish to collaborate with "Toneladas de Ajuda", in favor of BACF-Algarve, will be able to deliver, separately, the packaging listed above, at Algar's facilities, which are distributed throughout the Algarve region (www.algar.com.pt). When doing so, you must inform the institution that you are supporting. 

Algar, EGF's concessionaire in the Algarve region, was one of the winners of the APCE's 2020 Grand Prix.

The Grand Prix of the Portuguese Association for Corporate Communications (APCE) aims to award annually the best works of the Communication area in Portugal, through an independent jury.

EGF was a finalist in two categories: External Campaign - Tertiary Sector Services, with Algar's campaign, "In the Algarve be an Algarvio: separate!" and in the Internal Event category up to 500 Employees, with the event of the EGF Group, "Desafios do Triénio". We won in the External Campaign category with Algar.

Due to the pandemic, the event took place in live format via Facebook and can be watched HERE. See below the moment when ALGAR was announced the winner of its category.

ERSUC started, in a phased manner, the return of its selective collection door-to-door service to commerce and services, which was temporarily suspended due to the pandemic.

With the resumption of this service, ERSUC aims to give better return to traders who resume their activity, seeking to be an ally in this time of constant adaptation. Striving more and more to provide a professional service, all teams reinforced their training in hygiene and safety and in good customer relations practices.

This return is also symbolized by a new uniform, specific to the activity, which will also be a differentiating element.

Simultaneously, ERSUC continues its plan to clean the ecopoints, in all its 36 municipalities, an essential operation to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

EGF, a company of the MOTA-ENGIL group, responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste in 174 municipalities in Portugal, registered an increase in selective collection of 13% in 2019 compared to 2018, above the national average of 10%.

The excellent performance of Amarsul, Ersuc, Suldouro, Resinorte and Valorlis stands out, with growth rates above 16% compared to the same period last year. It should also be noted, due to the positive performance, that almost all EGF companies grew more than 10%.

These extraordinary growths are the result of a high investment program carried out, integrated in an application co-financed by the Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources (POSEUR), and to the priority given to the activity of selective collection of packaging waste, remodeling and modernization of infrastructure and awareness campaigns with the population, which translated into an effective and growing participation of citizens in the habits of recycling.

EGF launched a new area on its website that allows citizens to find out, through geolocation, where the selective sorting containers (ecopoints), of the areas concessioned by EGF, are located.

If your usual ecopoint is full, or if you are in a place you are unfamiliar with, you no longer have an excuse for not putting waste in the nearest ecopoint and thus continuing to recycle.

"Recycling Bins EGF" comes to fill a need of the population to know the location of the ecopoints, through precise and updated coordinates.

Help us to keep Portugal clean, respect waste collection and management workers and never leave trash on the floor!

Algar, EGF's concessionaire in the Algarve region, renewed its certification in Health and Safety Management Systems, having also met all the conditions to be granted the maintenance of the integrated certifications in Environmental and Quality Management Systems, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the Algarve region.

The maintenance of the certification recognizes that the management of the multi-municipal system for selective collection, waste transfer, sorting and treatment of solid waste from Algar, is carried out with respect for high quality standards of the services provided, especially when talking about treatment around 400,000 tons of municipal waste per year.

According to the President of the Executive Committee of Algar, Telma Robim, "the company was audited between December 16th and 19th of 2019, having been considered by the certifying entity, APCER, that the necessary conditions were met and implemented in all administrative, support and operational units, namely: Selective Collection activity; 2 Sanitary Landfills; 8 Transfer Stations; 13 Ecocenters; 2 Sorting Stations; 3 Biogas Energy Recovery Units; 3 Green Waste Composting Units; 3 Leachate Treatment Units and 1 Organic Recovery Center. All the company's facilities and activities remain certified, leaving us very satisfied".

Among the numerous internal and external advantages inherent to Algar's Integrated Management Systems, the following stand out: the adoption of pollution prevention principles, as well as the strengthening of training and the satisfaction of employees, customers, stakeholders and society, in general. In terms of Safety, Algar prevents the risk of accidents, work diseases and guarantees a safe and healthy work environment in all sectors of the company.

EGF, in cooperation with ISWA - International Solid Waste Association, launched a set of guidelines on "Crisis Communication" in times of pandemic, for the waste management sector.

In the video produced, Ana Loureiro, Communication Director of EGF, mentions the importance of responsible communication, adapted to the context of each country; illustrates the Portuguese example with the rules that have been issued by official bodies; showcases EGF's initiatives, with the genesis of an online project composed by pedagogical material and standard answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and urges the citizens to follow the waste rules as to avoid contagion and protect themselves and waste management workers.

ISWA - International Solid Waste Association is a non-governmental association whose mission is to promote and develop professional waste management worldwide as a contribution to sustainable development. The organization has an area on its website dedicated to COVID-19 that demonstrates how waste treatment is carried out during the pandemic around the world.

The video is also being showcased in Brazil, through ABRELPE - Associação Brasileira de Empresas de Limpeza Pública e Resíduos Especiais - an organization whose mission is to promote the technical-operational development of solid waste management in Brazil.

In cooperation, through informative videos in several languages, we are able to spread the message more easily and inform more people from different countries. We are stronger together against the pandemic!

The Executive Director of Resinorte, Javier SanJosé Sancho, participated in the first International Seminar on Integrating Environmental Issues in the Recovery Policies after COVID-19.

His collaboration took place today, at 6 pm Portugal, with the theme "Waste Management Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic". The conference was broadcasted via ZOOM platform.

The seminar, 100% on-line, with Spanish speakers from different countries, has been running since yesterday and will finish at the end of the month. All interventions are moderated by Tania García López, Phd in Environmental Law by the University of Alcalá de Henares in Spain.

EGF has available new pedagogical material, on the treatment of waste in pandemic times, for sharing and awareness, in their COVID-19's website tab.

It is important to thank those who deal with our waste on a daily basis. To this end, in addition to a campaign to raise awareness among the population, to follow the rules and stay at home to protect themselves and waste collection workers; posters, leaflets and social media posts were made available thus facilitating the transmission of simple rules to have with the waste we produce every day during the pandemic.

In order to support all professionals of EGF, and of the municipalities, it is important not to neglect the 5 rules of waste treatment. Namely, to remember that the placement of bulky waste for collection is not a priority during the pandemic. Even if you are cleaning and tidying your home, you must wait for the end of this phase and only place these materials (mattresses, sofas and other materials that do not fit in the containers) when the service is available once again.

Yesterday, EGF was featured in the program "Portugal em Direto" of RTP1 broadcast channel, presented by Dina Aguiar.
 

Ana Loureiro, Communication's Director at EGF, answered the most frequently asked questions from citizens related to recycling, collection and treatment of waste during COVID-19's pandemic and clarified any lingering doubts about waste management during this pandemic phase.
     

The company's participation in the program also extended to its concessionaires. Marta Alçada, Communications' Manager at Resiestrela, was interviewed in the recorded report presented during the program, about the increase in household waste caused by the confinement of families during the pandemic in Cova da Beira, with Resiestrela accounting for 20% more recyclable waste than in the past homologous period.
         

During the group's participation in the program, the importance of people staying at home was also emphasized as to safeguard the safety of workers in the collection and treatment of waste.

Mota-Engil launched the latest issue of SINERGIA magazine. The periodical publication aims to demonstrate what is best done in the Mota-Engil Group around the world, through the sharing of news from the various companies that make up the group on various continents.

This edition, the 56th, has sustainability as a prominent theme and focuses on the priorities that the Group defined for the 2018-2020 three-year period that involve investing in the community, in safety, environment, ethics and compliance, as well as in diversity and inclusion. At EGF, we highlight the significant results of recycling and selective collection in 2019; Valorsul's 25th anniversary; the success of environmental education projects such as Ecovalor and EcoPraias; new infrastructures; constant synergies between EGF and its concessionaires and the growing intra-group articulation.

This edition will be distributed only in digital format and can be read HERE.

EGF has just made available, through their digital platform www.egf.pt/en/, clear information on the new cares to be taken with urban waste and disposal of domestic waste in the fight against the spread of COVID-19's pandemic, by also gathering answers to frequently asked questions and providing teaching materials meant to be used by all people and organizations.

In this page, which gives clear and simple indications based on the guidelines of the Portuguese Environment Agency and the Directorate-General for Health, posters and leaflets in several languages, press releases and short films with useful information were made available; it is also possible to clarify questions about recycling or better understand how to protect yourself and the people around you to avoid contagion.

You can also access the digital campaign “we are working for you, stay at home for us”, launched last month, which raises awareness, sensitizes and advises the population to stay at home, with the aim of preventing and mitigating the spread of the virus, therefore protecting thyselves and the waste collection and treatment workers who work daily without stopping.

This online initiative can be followed on social media - Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram - using the hashtag #PREVENIRCOVID19.

In view of the evolution of COVID-19 infection in Portugal, EGF warns the population of five essential waste rules to have with household waste and that needs special attention during a pandemic phase.

To avoid contamination of more people, it is important to correct mistakes that have been occurring with some frequency in the public space, namely the deposition of waste outside the container or the placement of masks and gloves in ecopoints. It is urgent to correct these behaviors, for the protection of workers and the community, as defined in the following Waste Rules.

This alarm stems from the urgent need to improve individual behaviors that influence the service for the collection and treatment of urban waste, ensured every day by companies and municipalities.

5 WASTE RULES

1. Masks, gloves and tissues are not recyclable, they must ALWAYS be disposed in the regular waste containers

   These materials are appearing, in large quantities, in ecopoints, ending up in the sorting lines. In addition to not being recyclable, they can be contaminated.

    

2. Contaminated waste is not recyclable, it must ALWAYS be disposed in regular waste containers

   This rule applies to all people infected with COVID-19 or whom are quarantined for the same suspicion. Anyone in these conditions should have their garbage placed in two bags, one inside the other, tightly closed. These bags must not be full or compacted - they just have to be tightly closed and deposited inside the regular waste container.

    

3. NEVER leave garbage bags on the floor, put them in the container

   If the container is full, it should be used when it is available or you should make use the nearest container. If the usual collection is made with bags, the instructions of the municipality or parish must be followed.
   
   

4. Do not leave off bulky waste for collection in a pandemic phase
   In a pandemic phase, this service is not a priority, companies and municipalities are making a considerable effort to maintain the essential public service for the population. Even if you are tidying at home, you should wait for the end of this phase and only place these materials (mattresses, sofas and other materials that do not fit in the containers) when the service is available.
   
   
5. Stay at home and maintain hygiene
   Stay at home, keep the bins/trash areas clean, always protect your hands and wash them after these operations for at least 20 seconds. With these attitudes, it is possible to prevent infection and, even, protecting the workers who provide waste collection and treatment service every day.

Every day, workers in the waste collection and treatment sector continue to contribute to the cleaning of our streets, through selective collection, and ensuring the treatment of our waste. The best way to thank them is to share and comply with these rules and to be understanding of the collection adaptations that your municipality and EGF concessionaires may have to make.

EGF has launched a social media campaign that sensitizes the population to stay home with the aim of preventing the spread of COVID-19's pandemic. The campaign shows workers of EGF's concessionaires with posters warning the population to stay home, to protect themselves and the selective collection workers.

With the motto “we are working for you, stay at home for us”, this campaign, promoted on the social networks of all EGF concessionaires, aims to remind the citizen of the rules of the General Health Directorate (DGS) that warn for prevention and social withdrawal during this pandemic.

The campaign takes place on Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram and can be viewed on social media using the hashtag #PREVENIRCOVID19.

Last week, EGF issued a statement regarding the precautions to be taken for the disposal of waste from a person infected with COVID-19. All infected waste must be placed in the regular waste container and sealed properly in two bags. Masks, gloves and tissues should also be placed in the regular waste container.

The General Directorate of Health (DGS) and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action have defined new precautions for the deposition of residues to prevent contamination by COVID-19.

During the fight against the pandemic, EGF asks the population to comply with the new rules on handling domestic waste:

1. If you have people in your family who are infected (or with this suspicion) remember that their waste can also be infected. In that case, you should:
   
   

   - Put the waste in resistant and disposable garbage bags, with filling up to 2/3 (two thirds) of its capacity - do not completely fill the bags;
   
   

   - The properly closed bags must be placed in a second bag, properly closed, and this must be deposited in the common waste container (undifferentiated waste);
   
   

   - The bags must always be placed inside the container - do not leave the bag on the floor. If it is full, put it in the nearest container or use it when it is available.
   
   

2. In addition, masks, gloves and handkerchiefs should always be placed in the general waste container.
     

Every day workers in the waste collection and treatment sector continue to contribute to the cleaning of our streets, through selective collection, and to ensure the treatment of our waste. The best way to thank them is to share and comply with these rules and be understanding of the adaptations to the collection that your municipality and Valorsul may have to make.

EGF follows the COVID-19 crisis closely. The Contingency Plans of all Concessionaires are already active in order to prevent or mitigate the effects that the generalized spread of the virus may have on the provision of public services, observing all recommendations of the General Directorate of Health.

These are essential informations and precautions that we should all have for our own protection and of the community, as well. You can find a poster of said precautions below in English, Portuguese, French and Spanish. 

Lisbon was awarded the title "European Green Capital" in 2020 because it focuses on mobility, in the creation of more green spaces, in the reduction of noise, pollution and water costs, among other measures.

This title represents a European Commission project that recognizes cities that are progressively more eco-friendly, that strive to make the lives of their citizens healthier and more sustainable and that promote environmental awareness.

Together with other companies, Valorsul signed the Lisbon Capital Verde 2020 environmental pact, committing itself to implementing, by 2030, measures and actions that mitigate the environmental footprint and promote good sustainable practices.

Among those actions are projects aimed at combating climate change, namely directed at promoting recycling and circular economy, such as:

• Communication campaigns dedicated to recycling in specific target audiences;
• Acquisition of supports and bags to promote selective collection at specific events, fairs and audiences;
• Awareness-raising actions to help improve the quality of the materials delivered to the Sorting Centers and the Organic Valorisation;
• Offering composters to families, aiming to encourage the habit of composting, associated with dedicated communication campaigns;
• Support to the Municipality of Lisbon in expanding the Selective Collection of Bio-waste.

EGF was present, yesterday, at Mornings of APEMETA - Portuguese Association of Environmental Technology Companies, through engineer Filipa Pantaleão, Technical Director of EGF, who participated in the Debate: "Challenges and Constraints of Textiles in the Management and Treatment of Urban Solid Waste".

This cycle of conversations, addressed to the textile sector, also featured speakers from Quercus, APA - Portuguese Environment Agency, Resiaçores, Suma, Lipor, among other companies from the environmental sphere.

Thematic topics were discussed on textile production and its costs, the problem of textiles in the flow of undifferentiated waste and the products that can be made with textile waste, as well as the creation of a management entity for the sector.

The event took place at Fundação Cidade Lisboa, in Campo Grande.

Within the scope of Health and Safety Measures at Work, adopted by Amarsul, the company is promoting their awareness actions, which take place in the facilities of Palmela and Seixal's Ecoparks.

Recently, a training session dedicated to the theme “Manual Handling of Cargo” was directed to all employees with activity in Selective Collection; the training aimed to minimize the risks of Musculoskeletal Injuries of employees in this area and to create a spirit of preventive action in relation to risk.

Valorminho, EGF's concessionaire in the Alto Minho region, responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste in the municipalities of Melgaço, Monção, Valença, Vila Nova de Cerveira, Paredes de Coura and Caminha, increased its selective collection by 13% compared to same period of 2018.

In 2019, 3928 tons of waste from the Valorminho intervention area were selectively collected, accounting for: 1824 tons of glass, 1430 tons of paper / cardboard and 674 tons of plastic and metal.

Greater environmental awareness among the population, coupled with the investment that Valorminho has made in the selective multi-material collection of packaging waste in recent years; namely in vehicles, ecopoints and containers for selective collection and a strong commitment to awareness campaigns for the correct separation of waste, allowed growth in all materials: 15% on glass, 8,7% on paper/cardboard and 17,5% on plastic and metal.

This investment is part of an application financed by the Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources (POSEUR) and concretizes a strategic option outlined in the Action Plan of the Strategic Plan for Urban Solid Waste in response to the challenges introduced by PERSU 2020 in regarding the increase in multimaterial recycling, thus contributing to the improvement of the service provided to the municipalities in the intervention area.

Resiestrela, EGF's concessionaire in Cova da Beira, brings the project “A Nossa Casa é um Planeta” to schools. The awareness actions that make up the project are integrated into the ECOVALOR Program, as part of a joint application by the 11 concessionaires belonging to EGF to POSEUR (Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources).

This environmental education action includes the production of 3 films specially designed with content suitable for 3 different target audiences: Kindergarten; 1st, 2nd and 3rd Cycle; Secondary / Adult.

With an innovative approach, and designed on itinerant planetariums, the awareness actions include, in addition to film presentations, games on environmental themes and delivery of pedagogical materials that allow for the consolidation of the knowledge obtained.

At the moment, the locations considered by this action are the schools in the municipalities of Almeida, Belmonte, Covilhã, Fundão, Manteigas, Penamacor and Vilar Formoso.

Dates and places of the activities:

• Rodrigo's School (Covilhã) - February 19th;
• Pedro Álvares Cabral School (Belmonte) -  February 20th;
• School Headquarters Grouping Schools of Fundão - February 27th;
• Manteigas Basic and Secondary School - February 28th;
• Escola EB 2/3 Ribeiro Sanches (Penamacor) - March 17th;
• EBS School Dr. José Casimiro Matias (Almeida) and EBS Vilar Formoso School on March 17th.
  
  

The themes presented in this initiative are based on the Reduction, Reuse, Recovery and Recycling of materials and energy, replacing the end-of-life concept of linear economy, with concepts of Reuse, Restoration and Renovation. In such a way, the action contributes to active citizenship in the field of sustainable development and to the construction of a low carbon society, rational and efficient in the use of its resources.

Amarsul, EGF's concessionaire responsible for the recovery of urban waste from 9 municipalities in the Setúbal Peninsula, showcased, in 2019, a remarkable growth of 19% in the forwarding of waste for recycling, resulting from the investment made in the municipalities of Alcochete, Almada, Barreiro, Moita, Montijo , Palmela, Seixal, Sesimbra and Setúbal.

The population of the region, with more than 780 thousand inhabitants, contributed positively to the increase in the collection of 33 thousand tons of recyclable waste, 45% were paper and cardboard, 30% glass and 25% plastic and metal. The increase in selective collection was transversal to all materials, although it presented better results in paper and cardboard packaging, which registered a higher growth: 25% more than in the previous year.

These indicators are the result of the investment of 10 million euros that Amarsul has developed in the multi-material selective collection of packaging waste in recent years in vehicles, ecopoints and containers for selective door-to-door collection, as well as in environmental awareness campaigns for incentive to recycling, developed in partnership with the Municipalities. This amount, part of Amarsul's investment plan, is co-financed by the POSEUR program - Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources and aims to increase and optimize the quantities of recyclables separated at source.

Amarsul ended 2019 with an annual capitation of 39 kg of packaging waste separated per inhabitant and with twice the collection points for recyclable waste. In 2020, the goal is to reach the target of 45kg per inhabitant.

Valorlis will reinforce the network of green ecopoints with the availability of 250 glass bins to serve the population in the municipalities of Batalha, Leiria, Marinha Grande, Ourém, Pombal and Porto de Mós, in the first half of 2020.

The placement of green ecopoints for glass separation aims to increase the amount of glass sent for recycling and complements the investment in strengthening the ecopoint network that Valorlis has been undertaking in its intervention area.

This investment will be concluded with the acquisition of two heavy vehicles dedicated to the collection of glass that have an innovative collection box that will allow for better conditioning of the collected waste.

The provision of these means, belonging to Valorlis' investment plan in the amount of 1.8 million euros co-financed by POSEUR - Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources, aims to increase the quantities of waste collected selectively.

In 2019, Valorlis installed in its intervention areas 213 ecopoints of 1,000l; 247 ecopoints of 2,5 m3 and 120 glass ecopoints were placed next to the HORECA Canal - hotels, restaurants, cafes and associations, where there is a greater production of glass containers.

Marta Guerreiro, Managing Director of Valorlis, explains that “the deposit of glass containers, such as bottles, flasks and jars in ecopoints, is still far from reaching the desirable rates, which justifies an investment by the company in equipment for the deposition of glass." He adds that “the placement will be reinforced with the availability of 240l containers for glass separation in the HORECA Canal and with awareness actions for the correct use of ecopoints, increasing the recycling habits of the population”.

Loulé's Carnival received, once again, the EcoEvent certification by ALGAR; EGF's concessionaire in the Algarve region.

The recyclable waste collected throughout the event were delievered to ALGAR, and then weighed and "measured", resulting in a financial compensation that was offered by the Municipality of Loulé to "Existir", a charitable organization for the intervention and rehabilitation of poor and disadvantaged populations.

In this sense, it was requested to all participants of the event to separate their waste correctly. Paper/cardboard packaging; plastic/metal and glass were placed in the right ecopoints available in the precinct.

The theme for this year's edition of Loulé's Carnival was: Cinema. Loulé's parade, which is over 100 years old, one of the oldest in the country, took to the streets this Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, with a total of 600 extras, who paraded in the streets on top of the 14 Carnival floats.

In 2019, Valorsul, an EGF concessionaire in the Greater Lisbon and West area, met all environmental targets with an increase in recycling in all materials sent.

More 8,500 tons of material than in 2018, was the number registered in the company's Sorting Centers that totaled, in 2019, more than 93 thousand tons received.

The separation in plastic and metal ecopoints was the one that registered the highest growth (13% more than in the previous year). There followed a very positive evolution in the separation of glass for recycling (10% more). Paper and cardboard recycling grew 9%.

In 2019, each inhabitant sent, on average, 55 kg of materials to recycle. This value means that, in just two years, each person separated an average of 10 kg more. Lisbon is the municipality in the region with the highest recycling per capita, with 102 kg of packaging separation per inhabitant.

Valorsul also could not exceed 16% of biodegradable waste deposited in landfills and complied. Overall, Valorsul sent 40% of its urban waste (packaging, organic and others) for recycling, also fulfilling this important goal.

West Region registers the highest growth

In the 14 municipalities in the West that are under concession to Valorsul, this evolution in recycling was even more positive, with growth of another 20% in glass, another 21% in paper / cardboard and another 25% in the delivery of plastic and metal packaging.

This sharp growth was due to a strong investment in selective collection carried out by the company with over 1500 ecopoints, 28 more collection vehicles and awareness campaigns.

Suldouro, EGF's concessionaire responsible for the treatment and recovery of urban waste in the municipalities of Santa Maria da Feira and Vila Nova de Gaia, increased its selective collection by 16% compared to 2018.

This increase, recorded in all recyclable materials collected, was due to the investment that Suldouro has made in the selective multi-material collection of packaging waste in recent years; namely in vehicles, ecopoints and containers for selective door-to-door collection.

This investment is part of an application financed by the Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources (POSEUR) and, concretizes, a strategic option outlined in the Action Plan of the Strategic Plan for Urban Solid Waste in response to the challenges introduced by PERSU 2020 in regards the increase in multimaterial recycling, thus contributing to the improvement of the service provided to the two municipalities.

Algar, EGF's concessionaire in the Algarve region, is promoting the social responsibility campaign TONELADAS DE AJUDA, an EGF campaign on recycling of packaging for solidarity purposes, which is aimed at all IPSS located in the Algarve region.

This campaign aims to value all recyclable waste that registered institutions want to deliver to Algar, namely plastic, metal, paper, cardboard and glass packaging, in exchange for a financial contribution.

To promote the initiative, Algar, represented by the Executive Directors Engª Telma Robim and Engº José Barreto, and Banco Alimentar Algarve, represented by the Chairman of the Board Dr. Nuno Alves and the Treasurer of the Board José Pinto, signed a cooperation protocol last day January 22nd at the Algar Environmental Education Center that works at the Albufeira Ecocenter.

Algarve's Food Bank becomes the first institution in the region to join the campaign, having delivered, on the same day, 1700 kg of paper / cardboard and 360 kg of plastic / metal to Algar's facilities. The Algarve institution provides support to 106 IPSS that will also contribute to the separation and delivery of recyclable packaging waste. The financial contribution will be used to purchase food to reinforce baskets of families supported by the institution.

RECYCLE AND HELP THE ONES WHO NEED THE MOST!

HOW IT WORKS?

To participate it is necessary to register with Algar by email geral@algar.com.pt. After receiving the data, a client file will be opened that will work as a current account for each institution in order to quantify the weight of the material delivered, and then a weighing slip will be made available.

WHERE?

The deliveries of materials must be made directly to Algar's facilities, namely, to the Sorting Units, Transfer Stations and Ecocenters, located in the Municipalities of: Albufeira, Alcoutim, Aljezur, Castro Marim, Lagos, Loulé, Tavira, Vila do Bispo, Quarteira and Portimão (locations and times at www.algar.com.pt). 

Deliveries made by other entities will also be accepted as long as they are made on behalf of an IPSS already registered in the campaign.

Valorsul's Energy Valorisation Center celebrates 20 years of existence today. In two decades, 14 million tons of waste were transformed into energy.

This plant, pioneer in Portugal, is intended to treat waste from undifferentiated collection. Each day it receives close to 2,000 tons of urban waste and produces enough energy to supply a city of 150 thousand inhabitants.

Twenty years after its construction, it was possible to divert 14 million tonnes of waste from landfill, transforming it into energy. This energy is sent to the electricity grid, saving the use of other sources, thus avoiding imports.

Valorlis, EGF's concessionaire in Alta Estremadura, ended 2019 with the highest value ever in the selective collection of municipal waste. Separation in ecopoints increased 17% compared to the same period in 2018. The involvement of the population was essential to achieve these results.

This year, a total of 12,460 tons of waste was sent to recycling in the Valorlis intervention area: 4,865 tons of glass, 5,377 tons of paper / cardboard and 2,218 tons of plastic and metal packaging. The increase in all materials was notable, with the separation in plastic and metal ecopoints having registered the highest growth (19% more than in the previous year). There was a very positive evolution in separation of glass for recycling (16% more). Paper / cardboard recycling grew by 15%.

The selective collection effort in the municipalities in the area of ​​influence of Valorlis (Batalha, Leiria, Marinha Grande, Ourém, Pombal and Porto de Mós) resulted in the saving of 80 thousand trees; metal that allows the manufacture of more than 11.4 million cans of 0.33 liters; enough plastic to produce more than 1.8 million XL t-shirts and an amount of glass that can produce around 13.9 million 0.75 liter bottles.

Marta Guerreiro, CEO of Valorlis, points out: “This improvement is due to a greater environmental awareness of the population, coupled with a strong investment in new ecopoints, different types of containers, vehicles and awareness campaigns for the correct separation that Valorlis have been developing together with the municipalities. And adds: "Despite the excellent results achieved, we are aware that our effort to provide an increasingly better service to the population must continue, so that together we can build a better environment for all".

For more information contact: Cidália Martins | cidalia.martins@valorlis.pt | 00351 244575540

The annual meeting of the Communication area of EGF's group took place on the 5th and 6th of February at Resinorte, in the Boticas unit, in the region of Trás-os-Montes. In addition to evaluating the work carried out, strategies for the future were defined with the objective of attracting more and more people to reduce, reuse and recycle the waste they produce.

The meeting, which takes place every year in different locations, had the participation of all workers of the Boticas unit, demonstrating that it is possible to carry out corporate initiatives outside the usual locations, valuing spaces and resources existing in the Group.

ALGAR, the company responsible for the management of urban solid waste in Algarve, will bring the “A Nossa Casa é um Planeta (Our House is a Planet)” project to schools in the region once more. These awareness-raising actions are integrated into the ECOVALOR Program, within the scope of a joint application, by the 11 concessionaires belonging to EGF, to POSEUR - Programa Operacional Sustentabilidade e Eficiência no Uso dos Recursos (Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources).

The initiative includes the projection on 360º itinerant planetariums of 3 films conceived with content for different target audiences (Kindergarten; Primary and Secondary/Adult), on the themes Reduction, Reuse, Recovery and Recycling of materials and energy.

These actions contribute to active citizenship in the field of sustainable development and to the construction of a low carbon society, rational and efficient in the use of its resources.

Dates and places of presentation of the activity:

• 27 January / Municipality of Lagos / Schools EB n.1 of Lagos and Kindergarten/ EB1 da Ameijeira;
• 28 January / Municipality of Portimão / Schools EB 2.3 Judice Fialho; EB Bemposta and EB 2.3 D. Martinho Branco;
• 29 January / Municipality of Tavira / Kindergarten Schools / Horta do Carmo and in EB1 / 2.3 D. Manuel I;
• 30 January / Municipality of Tavira / Schools EB 2.3 D. Paio Peres Correia;
• 30 January / Monchique Municipality / Schools EB 1 N.1 and EB 2.3;
• 5th and 6th of March / Albufeira Municipality - Algar Environmental Education Center / Kindergarten Schools / EB1 Vale Pedras; EB 2.3 Dr. Francisco Cabrita; EB das Ferreiras and EB 2.3 Diamantina Negrão.

Valorsul, an EGF concessionaire in the Lisbon and West regions, integrates a financing application under the EEA Grants Program with the InRoads - Innovative and Green Residue-Based Noise Barriers for Roadways project, together with Mota-Engil Engenharia e Construção, the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto and the University of Coimbra.

EEA Grants is a multi-annual financial mechanism established between the members of the European Economic Area Agreement (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and the member states of the European Union with the largest deviations from the European average of GDP per capita, including Portugal. This relationship aims to promote a continuous and balanced reinforcement of economic and commercial relations through financial support.

The project proposes the development of an innovative solution for the construction of prefabricated acoustic barriers betting on the reuse of artificial aggregates produced from slags from the incineration of urban waste.

As part of the competition - Projects for the Promotion of Circular Economy in the Construction Sector - of the "Environment, Climate Change and Low Carbon Economy" Program, the project will allow to mitigate noise induced by road traffic, which will significantly contribute to an improvement in the quality of life of the populations neighboring the places where this solution will be implemented and to attenuate the ecological footprint of the civil construction sector.

Today in RTP1' broadcast channel, at 11 pm, José Pedro Vasconcelos and Fátima Lopes will become Amarsul's packaging sorting operators.

José Pedro Vasconcelos' entertainment program, "Depois, Vai-se a Ver e Nada" filmed an episode at Amarsul's Seixal Ecopark Screening Center where, host and guest, embodied the daily tasks of a screening operator and showed the reality of solid waste, highlighting the importance of recycling.

The episode will be broadcast today on public channel at 23h.

EDIT: The episode is now available on our Facebook and Linkedin.

Algar, responsible for the recovery and treatment of municipal waste in Algarve, reinforced the washing of ecopoints, including cleaning of selective packaging disposal sites and surrounding areas, maintenance of equipment and replacement of signs.

There are more than 7500 intervened recycling bins distributed throughout the 16 Algarve municipalities. The work is performed by specialized teams, from Monday to Saturday, excluding holidays, during daylight hours.

This action is carried out within the framework of the Operational Plan for the Selective Collection Activity and is part of the continuous improvement of the quality of service provided to the population and visitors of the region, to reinforce public health care and to ensure an effective recovery of the collected waste. 

Algar has been strengthening its Selective Collection Activity, having acquired 7 new vehicles in 2019, allowing it to increase its fleet capacity by 32%. It has also been increasing the number of ecopoints, with the placement of 781 new equipments on public roads in 2018 and over 376 ecopoints in 2019. Currently, Algarve has over 12,800 recycling bins for the disposal of recyclable packaging, ensuring the ratio of 1 ecopoints / 126 inhabitants.

"Portugal em Direto", a program from the Portuguese public broadcast channel RTP1, followed the dismantling of the recyclable Christmas tree from the parish of Santo Amaro in Sousel, a region belonging to Valnor, EGF's concessionaire in the north of Alentejo.

Together, Valnor, the Parish Council, and the school children from Santo Amaro, dismantled the Christmas tree and placed more than 5,000 plastic bottles in bags supplied by Valnor.

Afterwards, the bags were collected by a Valnor vehicle that pressed all the packages to then transport them to the sorting center.

All bottles were sent to the recycling industry to be transformed into new pens, buckets, vases or new packaging.

Valorlis will distribute more than 4500 domestic composters in Batalha, Leiria, Marinha Grande, Ourém, Porto de Mós and Pombal municipalities.

Composting is a sustainable biological process of harnessing organic matter resulting from the preparation of meals such as food rinds, bread crumbs, coffee grounds or vegetable scraps. Soil microorganisms transform this matter into compost which can subsequently be used in agriculture, vegetable gardens or gardens.

The domestic composting program thus reduces the amount of organic waste landfilled and serves as an alternative to soil-damaging chemical fertilizers.

This program, which began in 2007, currently has more than 8800 composters distributed and has already allowed nearly 19,000 tons of waste to be diverted from landfills.

Algar has launched the Christmas campaign “First we celebrate, then we recycle!” to remind people of the importance of packaging separation in the appropriate ecopoints during holiday season.

Despite Algarve's good performance in terms of recyclable packaging waste, Algar warns that there is still much work to be done in the region. Only 40% of glass containers and, equally, of paper/cardboard packaging produced in the Algarve are placed in ecopoints, and only 20% of plastic/metal packaging is destined for recycling.

In this campaign, Algar calls for all recyclable packaging to be placed in ecopoints and not just some, as the remaining fraction of recyclable packaging waste, which is not deposited in the correct ecopoint, is being placed directly by the population in the undifferentiated waste bin (ordinary refuse), which is then collected by municipalities and destined for landfill.

This Christmas campaign is aimed at all residents and visitors of the region.

More information at: www.algar.com.pt

Resiestrela has launched TONELADAS DE AJUDA (Tons of Help) social responsibility campaign, an expanding EGF campaign across its managed territory that targets all IPSS (private social solidarity institutions) located in the companies' area of ​​intervention and consists in valuing all the recyclable waste that the registered institutions want to deliver, in particular plastic packaging, metal, paper, cardboard and glass in exchange for a financial contribution.

To enroll in Resiestrela's intervention area, you must register via email comunicacao@resiestrela.pt and, upon receipt of the data, a client form will be opened, which will act as a checking account for each institution in order to quantify the weight of the delivered material and then a weighing slip is made available.

 
Deliveries of materials should be made directly at Resiestrela's facilities, namely at Fundão's Sorting Center and at the 7 transfer stations and ecocenters of the municipalities of Almeida, Celorico da Beira, Guarda, Penamacor, Pinhel, Sabugal and Trancoso.

 
Deliveries made by other entities will also be accepted if they are made on behalf of an IPSS already registered in the campaign.

For more information please contact:

Marta Alçada

Phone: (00351) 275 779 330  / Cellphone: (00351) 939 598 010 / Email: marta.alcada@resiestrela.pt

www.resiestrela.pt

Algar began exploring the D cell of Portimão's Sanitary Landfill on December 12th, a cell already planned in the initial landfill project, which ensures the capacity for the disposal of undifferentiated waste collected in western Algarve.

The construction of the landfill translates into an investment of 3.6 million euros and has a docking volume of 1 million m3 for waste disposal, equivalent to 90,000 tons of waste per year, with a foreseen 10 years of operating life.

To attend the first use were invited to the Mayor of Portimão Isilda Gomes, the Vice-President Filipe Vital, the Chief of Staff José Cardoso and also the Director General of EMARP João Rosa.

Portimão's landfill is part of an integrated management system, being that landfill is the last option used in waste management and the result of a careful environmental protection plan. The new cell has the best environmental protection and preservation techniques to enable soil sealing and aquifer protection, including monitoring the proper drainage of leachate; biogas uptake, which is sent for energy recovery or flaring; and the control of ground/surface water and topographic changes.

126 tons of recyclable waste is the figure achieved by Valnor in the ECOVALOR program; the dedicated school community program implemented throughout EGF's intervention area.

Valnor, EGF's concessionaire, awarded schools that performed the best in recycling their used packaging during the 2018/19 school year.

Under the “Separa e Ganha (Separate and Win)” competition, and in exchange for waste, schools, private social welfare organisations and associations, will receive more than 25,000 euros.

Of the 126 tons raised, 93 tons of paper and cardboard and 33 tons of plastic and metal packaging were sent for recycling.

According to Nuno Heitor, Deputy Director of Valnor, "Valnor is a company whose mission is to promote recycling in its region, and to this end, its focus has been reflected on environmental education and social responsibility campaigns, to involve the community in our environmental and social mission."

Similar to last year, EGF rejoined Pinheiro Bombeiro (fireman pine tree).

Pinheiro Bombeiro is a social initiative of the Portuguese startup Rnters that allows, during the Christmas period, to rent real Christmas pines.

The pines used are thinning pines, the result of clearing a ground in the Coruche area.

Each pine has a cost of 20 € of which 5 € revert to the purchase of professional firefighting equipment (masks, gloves, suits, among others). In 2018 alone, more than 18,000 euros were raised for the firefighters of Viana do Castelo.

At the end of the lease, the pine is returned and transformed into biomass, finalizing the lease and its use in a sustainable way.

This initiative has the support of the Portuguese Association of Voluntary Firefighters.

Starting today, December 13th, Algar will offer the NUTRIVERDE compound with vegetable plant in a sustainable paper packaging to all customers who come to its premises to deliver recyclable packaging waste.

NUTRIVERDE is a 100% vegetable organic concealer produced and marketed by ALGAR, obtained exclusively from green waste from parks, gardens, golf grounds and agricultural activities through the composting process.

It is ideal for use as an organic fertilizer and / or substrate, as it is not aggressive or polluting to nature, it has numerous benefits to the soil by returning the organic matter absorbed by plants, thus closing the natural cycle. This will fight soil erosion and improve its physical, chemical and biological properties. ALGAR invites the Algarvians to create their own garden.

NUTRIVERDE can be purchased at ALGAR's premises during their opening hours. The company has 3 Green Composting Units in operation, one in Portimão, one in São Brás de Alportel and another one in Tavira.

About ALGAR

Algar - Valorization and Treatment of Solid Waste, SA is Algarve's responsible entity for the integrated system of selective collection, transfer, sorting of materials for recycling, energy use of landfill biogas, composting of green waste and treatment of municipal landfilled solid waste, produced in the municipalities of Albufeira, Alcoutim, Aljezur, Castro Marim, Faro, Lagoa, Lagos, Loulé, Monchique, Olhão, Portimão, São Brás de Alportel, Silves, Tavira, Vila do Bispo and Vila Real de Santo António.

For more information, contact: Maria João Carolino | +351 967758321 | gci@algar.com.pt | Barros de São João da Venda, 8135-026 Almancil-Loulé

Resulima, EGF's concessionaire in the north of the country, together with the City Council, the Viana do Castelo Municipal Basic Sanitation Services (SMSBVC) and the Environmental Monitoring and Interpretation Center (CMIA), boost for the second consecutive year the wrapping paper campaign , “At Christmas, separation is the best gift,” between December 24 and January 6.

The initiative aims to encourage the correct separation of waste, namely from paper that is used for gift wrapping, avoiding its disposal in household waste equipment (undifferentiated waste).

This year, 56 identified containers will be available to promote the correct separation of waste. They will be available in residential areas where there is a greater distance to common ecopoints.

The 2018 campaign collected 1,880 kilos of paper and cardboard, avoiding the felling of approximately 40 trees. Containers, placed at the end of the first half of December, will be available until Kings' Day, January 6, 2020.

Recycle Bingo has reached Suldouro's intervention area! The EGF Concessionaire responsible for the treatment and selective collection of municipal waste in the municipalities of Vila Nova de Gaia e Santa Maria da Feira are already part of the Recycle BinGo community.

Despite being an app, it works primarily as a game that makes the recycling experience much more fun and rewarding.

How? Simple.

The main mission of the game is to make visits to our Habitual Ecopoints.

By geolocation our Smartphone knows we are close to it. When we check in we unlock a set of nice little pets, the EcoGifts, with which we will fill our BinGo cards. Each time we complete a card we earn EcoMoedas - which we can redeem for great prizes such as movie tickets, discount vouchers, and more.

In addition to this main mission, the application is launching special surprise missions in order to improve the Portuguese knowledge about recycling, maintain involvement with Recycle BinGo. And of course, reward the most friends on the planet.

Recycle BinGo is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Resulima is a reference company in the environmental sector, being responsible for recycling and treating urban waste of more than 440.000 thousand inhabitants.

We are sure that this association of Suldouro with Recycle BinGo will help us all to meet the important recycling goals that Portugal faces short term. For this to happen, these news need to disseminate.

Help us spread the recycling bug.

We count on you!

EGF attended the 11th Annual Convention of the Portuguese Network for Social Responsibility of Organizations, which took place on the 28th of November, at the Marqueses da Praia and Monforte Palace in Loures.

This year's edition focused on “Energy Transition and Sustainability: Challenges and (Un)Convenient Truths”, targeting two significant sustainability issues: climate change and oceans and energy transition; the importance of which is well reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The convention opened with a speech by Bernardino Soares, President of Loures' Townhall and featured renowned leaders, in sustainability and social responsibility issues, associated with themes of sea and energy.

Ana Loureiro, EGF Communications Director, represented EGF moderating the panel on "Energy Transition and Environment: the new energy mix for sustainability".

EGF participated in the 6th Alentejo Waste Management Meeting, an event held in Beja on November 21, organized by the Polytechnic Institute of Beja, in partnership with the AMCAL, RESIALENTEJO and VALNOR Waste Management Systems and which was attended by of the most relevant organizations in the sector.

On behalf of EGF was Filipa Pantaleão, the Group's technical manager, who on the panel dedicated to the evolution of municipal waste management in Portugal, presented the activities developed by EGF in promoting selective collection in conjunction with the municipalities.

This meeting brought together a panel of speakers with different opinions and responsibilities in the waste sector, which allowed for a wide debate and discussion of relevant topics that interested all participants. The highlight was the Evolution of Urban Waste Management in Portugal, focusing on different strategic themes for the sector, as well as the sharing of Good Waste Management Practices and the role of CAGER in the operation of SIGRE.

The European Waste Prevention Week 2019 is taking place. This project, already in its 7th edition, is due to the need to reduce the amount of waste we produce.

The focus this year is on education and information for a change in attitude towards waste: “Change your habits, reduce your waste.”

From the early 1970s until 2016, household waste has doubled in the European Union, per capita and by weight. In 2016, the annual production of household waste from each European reached 482 kg! *

The European Week on Waste Prevention (SEPR) aims to draw attention to this problem. And that is the main objective of the actions that will take place this year. There are 16,570 shares across Europe! Also in Portugal this movement is promoted by EGF and its concessionaires, of which we highlight some examples.

ALGAR

Algar is always associated with this initiative and there are several actions underway:

• Algar's environmental education vehicle, which is equipped with multimedia games and 3D films on the main aspects of the collection, sorting and recovery of urban waste, will be from November 18-20 at the Tivoli Marina hotel in Vilamoura to host public of all ages, in a partnership with the municipal company Inframoura, organizer of the seminar “Change your habits, reduce your waste”, which will take place on November 18, in the same place.
• In association with ENTRAJUDA Algar will promote a campaign to collect used toys (dolls, balls, books, games, CDs, among others), which will take place in all the company's facilities, distributed throughout the Algarve region (algar.com. pt) to deliver to needy families supported by the Social Solidarity Institution.
• Schools are also invited to participate. During SEPR, Algar launches the challenge to promote the “Fair at School - Time of Exchange”. The initiative is nothing more than students, teachers and assistants to select objects that they no longer use such as games, CDs, books, clothes and / or toys and in school to organize a fair of exchange for other objects that they lack. In this way, they prolong the useful life of these objects and avoid overconsumption, contributing to the reduction of landfill deposition.

ERSUC

This week ERSUC, in partnership with the Municipalities and the School Groups, will boost the environmental education action “Our House is a Planet”, an awareness-raising action that uses an innovative approach to education and awareness, based on 360-degree movie projection in itinerant planetariums, specially designed with content suitable for 3 different target audiences: Kindergarten and 1st Cycle, 2nd and 3rd Cycle and Secondary Education.

The actions promote environmentally appropriate behavior on the theme of urban waste and include, in addition to the presentation of films, the delivery of teaching materials that allow consolidating the knowledge obtained.

ERSUC is with the Planetariums on November 18 in Estarreja Municipality, November 19 in Arouca Municipality, November 20 in Ovar Municipality, November 21 in Figueira da Foz Municipality and November 22 in Municipalities Pedrogão Grande and the Municipality of Penacova.

ERSUC Executive Director Miguel Ferreira also calls for “this week's concerns to develop throughout the year, and translate into changing habits that will make all the difference in waste reduction and correct referral for recycling ”.

VALORLIS

Valorlis invited the population to know the route of the waste they produce in their home, last Saturday, November 16th, in the initiative “Valorlis Open Day”.

The adhesion by the population exceeded the expectations, having the registrations sold out within a few hours, which led to Valorlis opening a second time. On “Valorlis Open Day”, the company received 70 people, accompanied by their families.

Participants began the visit by placing the waste they brought from home in Valorlis ecopoints, followed by a guided visit to the Sorting Unit and Leiria Landfill, where it was explained what happens to the waste after it is placed in their containers. During the visit the myths of recycling were also clarified and the rules of waste separation clarified.

Valorlis also promotes, on November 23rd at 15h00, in the Valorlis auditorium the workshop on the theme of food waste "From the vegetable garden to the table", with taste, creativity, without waste”, in a partnership with Refood Leiria.

In this workshop participants will learn techniques to avoid waste in the garden and kitchen and learn to conserve and turn leftovers into delicious dishes.

The program includes: Refood and elimination of food waste; Little tricks to reduce the amount of food sent to the trash; Presentation and elaboration of various ways of preserving food; Revenue Sharing.

Participants must bring glass containers to bring elaborate recipes home, thus promoting reuse.

The workshop is free, but requires registration at www.valorlis.pt

VALORSUL

Valorsul has ongoing 20 registered actions, identified below, in its intervention area and supports the dissemination of the initiative.

European Waste Prevention Week

European Waste Prevention Week (EWWR) runs from 16-24 November 2019. “Change your habits, reduce your waste!” Is this year's motto. The theme this year aims to alert to the need to reduce consumption and prolong the life of objects. The aim is to raise public awareness of the need for waste reduction and this initiative is an incentive to reduce the amount of waste produced in Europe.

Resulima, Valorminho and Suldouro, EGF concessionaires from the north of the country, implemented the Summer with Value campaign on all beaches covered by its concession. The result was so positive, it turned it into a movie!

Beyond the 77 tonnes of recoverable waste collected, good practice extends to broader environmental issues, and we all have to gain.

To see the movie and know this project, CLICK HERE

About 14 tonnes of recyclable waste, including 7 tonnes of glass, 5.7 tonnes of carton and 700 kg of plastic, was collected during the 420 class World Sailing Championship in Vilamoura in July this year.

The recyclables collected during the 9 days of the event by the company ALGAR, EGF concessionaire in the Algarve region, after being weighed and 'measured', gave rise to a thousand euros, which Vilamoura Sailing, the organizer of the competition in partnership with the company. Inframoura, made a point of handing it over to the Quarteira Child Support Center.

1st Sailing Championship distinguished as EcoEvent

It was the first time that a sailing championship has been awarded the 'Eco-Event' distinction awarded by Algar and has resulted, among other actions, in the production of 250 bags of recycled fabric, made from canvas, canvas, billboards and mupi, which they functioned as eco-points (garbage separation) and were placed on coaches' vessels. In these eco-points, all the test sailors deposited, daily, not only the recyclable packaging they were producing, but also the recyclable ones that made a point of collecting from the sea.

According to Nuno Reis, Vilamoura Sailing Director, “from the beginning, the aim was to strengthen the ecological awareness of the sailors and this will be a challenge to continue. The 420 World Cup was a test event in this regard and its success was proven. The partnership with Algar will be repeated in all our events and will also extend to the activity of the internship center ».

The logistics coordination of the program during the 420 World Championship was performed by Inframoura and also involved the services of Marina de Vilamoura, where Algar daily collected containers with recyclable waste.

In this event the usual plastic bottles were also replaced by aluminum bottles and the prizes awarded were all produced in cork from cork oaks in the region.

Inframoura will continue to mediate and encourage the events taking place in Vilamoura to adhere to these actions, in order to stimulate and raise awareness of the problem of waste and, at the same time, with the values ​​raised can contribute with donations for the improvement. the quality of the services provided by the IPSS of this parish.

Valorsul, EGF Concessionaire in the Lisbon and West regions, foresees that by the end of this year, about 91,000 tons of recyclable materials will be collected in its municipalities.

Given the amount of material collected in 2017, there is a significant growth of about 21% in the separation for recycling paper, cardboard, plastic, metal and glass.

This improvement in the region's environmental performance is due to greater environmental awareness, a strong investment in new ecopoints, vehicles and sorting centers and to campaigns to encourage recycling that Valorsul and the municipalities have been developing together.

Between 2016 and 2021 Valorsul's investment plan amounts to 45 million euros with the aim of improving the company's public waste management service, of which 16 million are investments in selective collection and sorting of recyclables.

In addition to the environmental benefits, the increase in selective collection also represents an effective saving for the 19 municipalities. As a result, around 16,000 tonnes of recyclables (triflow) will be diverted from the undifferentiated waste bins than in 2017, the equivalent of an annual saving of around € 1.1 million in municipal landfill or energy recovery costs. .

Six municipalities grow above 50%

Separation for recycling has grown over 50% in the last 2 years in 6 municipalities: Alcobaça, Arruda dos Vinhos, Nazaré, Rio Maior, Sobral de Monta Agraço and Torres Vedras. The highest growth was in Arruda dos Vinhos which is expected to end 2019 with 77% more recyclables collected than in 2017.

In the Lisbon region, the Loures and Odivelas Municipal Services stand out with a growth of 20% and the municipality of Lisbon, which, besides being the municipality with the highest amounts collected per capita, has grown in the last two years by 16%.

The strategy followed by Valorsul and the municipalities was to approximate, as much as possible, the number of ecopoints to the number of undifferentiated waste containers. The results show that the ecopoint collection option remains a good solution and allows families the freedom to deposit 24 hours a day.

VALORSUL prepares for new community targets

Selective collection of bioresidues - food and garden waste - has been done in collaboration with municipalities for 12 years. This material is transformed by Valorsul into compost for agriculture.

In order to meet the demanding national and community targets, Valorsul and the municipalities in the coming years intend to increase this selective collection - which is currently focused mainly on restaurants and markets - and also to include families in this separation. Given the expected increase in the amount of segregated biogas, Valorsul will apply for an investment of 9.6 million euros to also increase the capacity of its Organic Recovery Station.

Valorlis, EGF concessionaire in the region of Leiria, within the scope of the Ecovalor program and awareness of the importance of recycling, challenged the entire population to participate in the 9th Bike Tour dedicated to selective collection.

The bike ride took place on October 20th with a concentration at Valorlis at 9 am. The tour was aimed at the entire population, for all ages, with two easy and affordable routes - a shorter one of only 10 km and a 30 km route.

The tour ended at Valorlis, followed by a convivial lunch and entertainment for the children.

“This tour is part of the policy of proximity and“ open doors ”that Valorlis maintains from day one. We intend to bring whole families together in a different activity, but with our usual goal, to warn of the importance of recycling ”, explains Marta Guerreiro, Managing Director of Valorlis.

Registration was free but required. Each participant brought on the day of the tour six packs of plastic, metal, glass, carton or cartons for liquid food and deposited in the ecopoint that was at the place of departure.

The 9th Valorlis Bike Tour was organized by AIRBIKE - CYCLING ASSOCIATION, with the support of Gopaper.

Recycle Bingo has reached Resulima's intervention area! The EGF Concessionaire responsible for the treatment and selective collection of municipal waste in the municipalities of Arcos de Valdevez, Barcelos, Esposende, Ponte da Barca, Ponte de Lima and Viana do Castelo are already part of the Recycle BinGo community.

Despite being an app, it works primarily as a game that makes the recycling experience much more fun and rewarding.

How? Simple.

The main mission of the game is to make visits to our Habitual Ecopoints.

By geolocation our Smartphone knows we are close to it. When we check in we unlock a set of nice little pets, the EcoGifts, with which we will fill our BinGo cards. Each time we complete a card we earn EcoMoedas - which we can redeem for great prizes such as movie tickets, discount vouchers, and more.

In addition to this main mission, the application is launching special surprise missions in order to improve the Portuguese knowledge about recycling, maintain involvement with Recycle BinGo. And of course, reward the most friends on the planet.

Recycle BinGo is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Resulima is a reference company in the environmental sector, being responsible for recycling and treating urban waste of more than 321,000 thousand inhabitants.

We are sure that this association of Resulima with Recycle BinGo will help us all to meet the important recycling goals that Portugal faces in the short term. For this to happen, this news needs to spread.

Help us spread the recycling bug.

We count on you.

EGF was present and strongly represented at the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) World Congress, the largest event in the sector worldwide, which will be held this year in Bilbao, Spain, from October 7-10.

This year's participation was marked by the international presentation of the project OUR HOUSE IS A PLANET, the environmental education project dedicated to the school community that presents educational films for the various levels of education through itinerant planetariums. In Bilbao, for the first time, the English versions of the 3 films that are projected in 360º in inflatable domes were being presented, presenting a novelty in the event and for the congress participants.

In addition to the planetarium in the exhibition space, available to all participants, Ana Loureiro, Director of Communication, presentes on October 8th the most recent environmental communication campaigns, with the presentation The role of citizens. Strategies and Communication Campaigns on the How to Raise Public Acceptance for Waste Management Projects panel; and moderating the session on Citizen Awareness, a key to sustainable and effective waste management.

More on ISWA World Congress: CLICK HERE

More about the project OUR HOME IS A PLANET: CLICK HERE

EGF hosted at its headquarters the Communication and Social Issues Working Group of the ISWA - International Solid Waste Association at one of its biennial meetings, which took place from 26 to 27 September.

The meeting was marked by the presentation and sharing of communication campaigns devoted to the topic of waste, but also by the discussion of ISWA's own communication strategy, which is in a transition and change phase this year.

The group also participated in the EcoSunset event organized by EGF, Amarsul and Almada City Hall, which took place in S. João da Caparica and had the opportunity to visit Valorsul's Waste to Energy Plant in S. João da Talha.

Representatives from countries such as England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary and Oman attended this meeting.

For more information on ISWA's Communication and Social Issues Working Group

Recycle BinGo finally arrives in the northern region of the country, through Valorminho. Recycle BinGo is a mobile application that promises to leave families living in the municipalities of Melgaço, Monção, Valencia, Paredes de Coura, Vila Nova de Cerveira and Caminha, with the recycling bug.

Despite being an app, it works primarily as a game that makes the recycling experience much more fun and rewarding. Like?

Simple.

The main mission of the game is to make visits to our Habitual Ecopoints.

By geolocation our Smartphone knows we are close to it. When we check in we unlock a set of nice little pets, the EcoGifts, with which we will fill our BinGo cards. Each time we complete a card we earn EcoCoins - which we can redeem for great prizes such as movie tickets, discount vouchers, and more.

In addition to this main mission, the application is launching surprise special missions in order to improve the Portuguese knowledge about recycling, maintain involvement with Recycle BinGo. And of course, reward the most friends on the planet.

Recycle BinGo is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Valorminho is a reference company in the environmental sector, being responsible for recycling and treating over 33,000 tons of waste, serving 6 municipalities and over 73,000 inhabitants.

We are sure that this association of Valorminho with Recycle BinGo will help us all meet the important recycling goals that Portugal faces in the short term. For this to happen, this news needs to spread.

Help us spread the recycling bug.

We count on you.

EGF, Amarsul and Almada City Council presented on September 26 the results of the EcoPraias campaign and launched the Ecovalor Program 2019-2020, aimed at the school community.

The ECOBEACHES - “Let's Recycle by the Sea” campaign, promoted by Amarsul, EGF concessionaire, collected this summer a total of 165 tons of waste for recycling.

This unprecedented campaign promoted for the first time the collection and recycling of waste in 33 beaches of the regions of Almada, Sesimbra and Setúbal from June 22 to September 15.

Aimed at the general population, but with a special focus on children who go to the beach with their holiday camps, the initiative has raised awareness of good environmental practices and the importance of proper separation of packaging waste, totaling over 400 holiday organizers, 22,700 children and 91,400 people in total.

The collection of the packages was ensured with a network of ecopoints, together with Amarsul “backpackers” who traveled the beaches - which allowed to collect 50 tons of plastic and metal, 35 tons of paper and cardboard and 80 tons of glass.

THE BEACH SEASON IS OVER AND SCHOOL BEGAN

Following this strategy of continuously contributing to the environmental education of the population, EGF already has in the field the new edition of the ECOVALUE program. Running during this school year, this initiative is dedicated to making known the good environmental practices among the school community, distinguishing, with a monetary prize, the good environmental behaviors. For each well-packaged plastic, metal and beverage packaging bag delivered, the school that adheres to this awareness program will receive € 0.50. The schools in each municipality that recycle the most will be rewarded with a higher value.

This program also includes a tour with itinerant planetariums of environmental education “Our Home is a Planet”, where you can watch 360º films dedicated to the themes of prevention, reuse and recycling.

Nationwide, in 2018 the ECOVALUE Program carried out nearly 8,000 awareness actions and involved 203,732 participants across the country, contributing to the collection of 1,160 tonnes of waste, of which 619 tonnes were plastic and metal, 111 tonnes of glass and 430 tons of paper and cardboard.

The ECOPRAIAS - “Let's Recycle by the Sea” campaign, promoted by Amarsul, EGF concessionaire, collected this summer a total of 165 tons of waste for recycling.

This unprecedented campaign promoted for the first time the collection and recycling of waste in 33 beaches of the regions of Almada, Sesimbra and Setúbal from June 22 to September 15.

Aimed at the general population, but with a special focus on children who go to the beach with their holiday camps, the initiative has raised awareness of good environmental practices and the importance of proper separation of packaging waste, totaling over 400 holiday organizers, 22,700 children and 91,400 people in total.

The collection of the packages was ensured with a network of ecopoints, together with Amarsul “backpackers” who traveled the beaches - which allowed to collect 50 tons of plastic and metal, 35 tons of paper and cardboard and 80 tons of glass.

THE BEACH IS OVER AND SCHOOL BEGAN

Following this strategy of continuously contributing to the environmental education of the population, EGF already has in the field the new edition of the ECOVALOR program. Running during this school year, this initiative is dedicated to making known the good environmental practices among the school community, distinguishing, with a monetary prize, the good environmental behaviors. For each well-packaged plastic, metal and beverage packaging bag delivered, the school that adheres to this awareness program will receive € 0.50. The schools in each municipality that recycle the most will be rewarded with a higher value.

This program also includes a tour with itinerant planetariums of environmental education “Our Home is a Planet”, where you can watch 360º films dedicated to the themes of prevention, reuse and recycling.

Nationwide, in 2018 the ECOVALOR Program carried out nearly 8,000 awareness actions and involved 203,732 participants across the country, contributing to the collection of 1,160 tonnes of waste, of which 619 tonnes were plastic and metal, 111 tonnes of glass and 430 tons of paper and cardboard.

Data from the 2019 ECOPRAIAS campaign and the launch of the new edition of the ECOVALOR program are presented today at a meeting promoted by Amarsul, EGF and Almada City Hall, in São João da Caparica, which is attended by ISWA - International Solid Waste environmental communication specialists. 

RESULIMA, EGF subsidiary, together with the Municipal Services, the municipality of Viana do Castelo and Vianafestas, developed an environmental awareness campaign during the Pilgrimage in Honor of Nossa Senhora da Agonia, making this an Ecoevent.

Environmental awareness monitors were present in this Pilgrimage which, together with the 30 volunteers of the Local Bank of Volunteering, approached traders and party participants to promote the improvement of waste separation by encouraging the use of ecopoints and 19 structures. specifically placed for the disposal of recoverable waste.

Different environmental awareness equipment and materials were distributed to traders and the general public, making them aware of the importance of their behavior. As a result of these awareness actions it was possible to collect more than eight tons of valuable waste in this EcoEvento.

These environmental awareness campaigns are supported by the EU Cohesion Fund through the PO SEUR - Operational Program Sustainability and Resource Efficiency.

The new Resiestrela Door to Door collection service, implemented in 4 municipalities, collected 77 tonnes in the first 6 months.

This service, implemented in the municipalities of Almeida, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Fornos de Algodres and Meda, has collected around 40 tons of paper and cardboard, 9 tons of plastic and metal packaging and 28 tons of glass and already has more than 200 tons adhering establishments.

According to Resiestrela Administrator, Nuno Heitor, “We intend to grow in more quantities and more collection points in these municipalities and in the remaining municipalities where this service is already implemented, so that together we can reach the recycling goals and go to the meeting of the objectives and goals defined in the Resiestrela Selective Collection Resumption Target - PERSU 2020 Resumption Action Plan ”

The door-to-door collection service aims to increase the collection of recyclable materials, glass, paper / cardboard and elastic, as it is found that waste containers in some areas contain large quantities of recyclable materials, that were being taken for undifferentiated treatment. With this service, these materials can be valued, with benefit to the environment and the consequent reduction of their treatment costs borne by the Municipality.

This service is performed free of charge to the user entities, by a duly identified car and Resiestrela employees and will be provided weekly at shops and services wishing to adhere to door-to-door collection of recyclable materials.

Resiestrela believes that by promoting environmental awareness among entrepreneurs and traders, it will allow, through a collective effort, an increase in materials recycling, improving the Quality of Life of each one of us.

Valorminho, EGF concessionaire in Alto Minho, collected 4.5 tons of recyclables at the Vilar de Mouros Festival, which took place on August 22, 23 and 24, an Ecoevent that is marked by good environmental practices.

Sustainability had a fundamental weight in the entire organization of the event, being exemplary in the management of waste produced in the enclosure - from its prevention, reuse and recycling to the environmental awareness of all participants and stakeholders.

Valorminho developed an environmental awareness campaign during the festival, which was attended by environmental awareness monitors who approached all festival-goers in order to promote the improvement of waste separation during the event, as well as encourage the implementation of these practices on the day. of every citizen.

As a result of these awareness actions, it was possible to collect 4.5 tons of recoverable waste in the 3 days of Ecoevento. There were 3180 kg of glass 1200 kg of paper / cardboard and 120 kg of plastic and metal packaging.

These environmental awareness campaigns are supported by the EU Cohesion Fund through the PO SEUR - Operational Program Sustainability and Resource Efficiency.

Valorlis, the EGF concessionaire in the Leiria region, has advanced to the second phase of placing the ecological islands in Marinha Grande this week.

The Ecological Islands Project - Proximity Collection is a pilot project that aims to bring ecopoints closer to the population, provide means for separation in places where it is difficult to place ecopoints and increase the amount of waste sent for recycling.

This proximity collection project started in July where 53 ecological islands (159 containers) were placed.

The second phase of container placement began this week with the placement of 96 more ecological islands (288 containers) in the towns of Amieirinha, Guarda Nova, Camarnal, Comeira, Fonte Santa, Ordem, Cima, Pedra de Baixo and Portela, following this September, the remaining 57 islands (171 containers) will be placed in Embra.

VALORSUL celebrates 25 years. On September 16, 1994, EGF concessionaire VALORSUL was born in the Lisbon (North) region with the ambitious goal of finding a solution and destination for the thousands of tons of municipal waste produced in Greater Lisbon and later, in 2010, in West region.

VALORSUL's domestic waste treatment system is a milestone in the history of municipal waste recovery in our country.

For 25 years, VALORSUL has invested in the potential of waste as real resources. It was at Valorsul that Portugal saw the birth of its first energy recovery center and, years later, the first station to treat selectively collected biowaste.

The result of the work carried out in the last quarter of a century is remarkable: per year, a production of electricity equivalent to 2% of national domestic consumption using exclusively waste; a production of more than 600 tons of compost for agriculture, 74,000 tons of materials sent for recycling and the fulfillment of all environmental goals with lower costs for citizens.

VALORSUL's priority is to improve the public waste management service provided by the company to municipalities and citizens. It was the first company to obtain recognition from the regulatory authority with the award of the “ERSAR Excellence Award” for the quality of its waste management services. municipal waste in 2018.

VALORSUL's future will continue to be through strong investment in innovation and commitment to the highest quality standards, through innovative awareness-raising strategies, increased capacity for selective collection, growth in the selective collection of organic matter and optimization of treatment infrastructures.

The territory served by VALORSUL covers a very diverse geographical area with 19 municipalities and where 1.6 million inhabitants reside. Every year, it receives and treats almost 1 million tons of waste, valuing 20% ​​of all domestic waste produced in Portugal.

Amarsul, EGF concessionaire in the Setúbal peninsula, has made available 57 new metal ecopoints, specific containers of 3m3 are being placed in all the municipalities in its area, namely in places where there is a high history of vandalism, namely fires in ecopoints.

Since the end of 2018, Amarsul has been strengthening its network of ecopoints, bringing recyclable containers closer to the population in order to make recycling of these wastes more convenient. This project covers all municipalities of the Setúbal Peninsula and is co-financed by POSEUR - Operational Program for Sustainability and Resource Efficiency.

Amarsul is committed to increasingly providing better service to the population by making more containers available for the disposal of recyclable waste and improving the quality of service, thereby reducing waste that is sent to landfill.

Valorminho collected 20 tons of recyclable waste at the Vodafone Paredes de Coura Festival, which took place from 14 to 17 August.

The 27th edition of the Couraíso Festival made history, and was the best edition ever, also in recycling.

This is an ECOEVENT with a track record, where sustainability has a fundamental weight throughout the organization of the event, being exemplary with regard to the management of waste produced in the enclosure - from its prevention, reuse and recycling to the environmental awareness of all participants. involved.

The 27th edition of the Vodafone Paredes de Coura Festival, is marked by the historical collection of Valorminho - 20 tons of recyclable waste!

There were 14,160 kg of glass, 2,040 kg of paper / cardboard and 3,840 kg of plastic and metal packaging, which will be transformed into euros that will revert to a Private Social Solidarity Institution (I.P.S.S.) of the Municipality of Paredes de Coura.

Recycle BinGo arrived in the north central region of the country, by Resinorte.

Launched in February by Valorsul, Amarsul and Valorlis, with the support of the Ministry of Environment's Environmental Fund, Recycle BinGo is a mobile application that promises to leave families living in the municipalities of Alijó, Amarante, Armamar, Baião, Boticas, Cabeceiras de Basto. , Celorico de Basto, Chaves, Cinfães, Fafe, Guimarães, Lamego, Marco de Canaveses, Cold Table, Moimenta da Beira, Mondim de Basto, Montalegre, Murça, Penedono, Peso da Régua, Resende, Ribeira de Pena, Sabrosa, Santa Marta from Penaguião, Santo Tirso, Sao Joao da Pesqueira, Sernancelhe, Tabuaço, Tarouca, Trofa, Valpaços, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Vila Real, Vizela, with the pet of recycling.

Despite being an app, it works primarily as a game that makes the recycling experience much more fun and rewarding. How?

Simple.

The main mission of the game is to make visits to our Habitual Ecopoints.

By geolocation our Smartphone knows we are close to it. When we check in we unlock a set of nice little pets, the EcoGifts, with which we will fill our BinGo cards. Each time we complete a card we earn EcoMoedas - which we can redeem for great prizes such as movie tickets, discount vouchers, and more.

In addition to this main mission, the application is launching surprise special missions in order to improve the Portuguese knowledge about recycling, maintain involvement with Recycle BinGo.

And of course, reward the most friends on the planet.

Recycle BinGo is now available on the App Store and Google Play.

Resinorte, a reference company in the environmental sector, is responsible for recycling and treating over 350 thousand tons of waste, serving 35 municipalities and approximately 1 million inhabitants.

We are sure that this association of Resinorte with Recycle BinGo will help us all meet the important recycling goals that Portugal faces in the short term. For this to happen, this news needs to spread.

Help us spread the recycling bug.

Amarsul, EGF concessionaire in the Setúbal peninsula, is investing around 10 M € in new selective collection projects, highlighting the “Reciclar Doce Reciclar” project, which aims to implement door-to-door selective collection of recyclable waste. in the areas already served by the door-to-door collection of undifferentiated waste, carried out by the municipalities, namely in Almada, Seixal and Sesimbra.

To facilitate the separation of waste in the households covered, Amarsul offers two free containers: one for the disposal of paper and one for metal and plastic packaging, so that the process of waste separation is simpler and more comfortable for citizens.

About 51,300 containers will be available. This project will be extended to the other municipalities of the Setúbal Peninsula, in areas where the collection of undifferentiated waste is also done door to door.

Since the end of 2018, Amarsul has been strengthening its network of ecopoints, bringing recyclable containers closer to the population in order to make it easier to separate and dispose of these wastes. This reinforcement has been made with containers with a capacity of 1,100l where 1,800 gares, ecopoints and glass bottles were built. By the end of 2019, a total of 8,320 containers of 1,100l, 1,560 ecopoints and 1,582 glass bottles will be placed. In order to collect these new equipment it was also necessary to increase the fleet so that new vehicles were purchased, 3 for collection for trade and services and 15 for domestic collection, in addition to the admission of new workers.

In this context, Amarsul is promoting awareness raising activities around the ecological islands, where dedicated teams clarify all doubts regarding the separation of recyclable waste, helping citizens to verify that the waste they are depositing in the containers is correctly separated. At the end of the awareness action, a free gift is available.

This project, co-financed by POSEUR - Operational Program for Sustainability and Resource Efficiency, aims to increase and optimize the quantities of recyclables separated at source.

With the correct separation of recyclables by citizens, less waste is sent to landfill, and everyone benefits: there will be less tons of waste subject to the disposal fee paid by the Municipalities and more will be the quantities selectively collected by Amarsul.

By the end of 2019, we will have an expected 15% increase in the amount of selectively collected waste, which is expected to be even higher by 2020.

Launched in February 2018 by Valorsul, Amarsul and Valorlis, with the support of the Ministry of the Environment's Environmental Fund, Recycle BinGo finally reaches the center, lower, Ribatejo and upper Alentejo region, through Valnor.

Recycle BinGo is a mobile application that promises to leave families living in the municipalities of Abrantes, Alter do Chão, Arronches, Avis, Campo Maior, Castelo Branco, Castelo de Vide, Crato, Elvas, Frontier, Hawk, Idanha-a-Nova, Macao, Marvão, Monforte, Nisa, Potters, Ponte de Sor, Portalegre, Proença-a-Nova, Sardoal, Sertã, Sousel, Vila de Rei and Vila Velha de Rodão, with the pet of recycling. Despite being an app, it works primarily as a game that makes the recycling experience much more fun and rewarding.

How?

Simple.

The main mission of the game is to make visits to our Habitual Ecopoints.

By geolocation our Smartphone knows we are close to it. When we check in we unlock a set of nice little pets, the EcoGifts, with which we will fill our BinGo cards. Each time we complete a card we earn EcoMoedas - which we can redeem for great prizes such as movie tickets, discount vouchers, and more.

In addition to this main mission, the application is launching surprise special missions in order to improve the Portuguese knowledge about recycling, maintain involvement with Recycle BinGo.

And of course, reward the most friends on the planet.

Recycle BinGo is now available on the App Store and Google Play.

Valnor, a reference company in the environmental sector, is responsible for recycling and treating over 101,000 tons of waste, serving 25 municipalities and over 254,000 inhabitants.

We are sure that this Valnor association with Recycle BinGo will help us all meet the important recycling goals that Portugal faces in the short term. For this to happen, this news needs to spread.

Help us spread the recycling bug.

We count on you.

Resulima, an EGF concessionaire in the northern region of Portugal, together with the Municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, developed an environmental awareness campaign during the Nossa Senhora da Lapa Festivities that took place in the Municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, making it an EcoEvent.

This initiative took place on August 8, 9 and 10 and were present at these parties environmental awareness monitors who approached traders and party participants to promote the improvement of waste separation during the event, as well as encourage the implementation of these. day-to-day practices of each citizen.

Different environmental awareness equipment and materials were distributed to traders and the population, making them aware of the importance of their behavior. As a result of these awareness actions, it was possible to collect more than one ton of valuable waste in the 3 days of this EcoEvent.

These environmental awareness campaigns are supported by the EU Cohesion Fund through the PO SEUR - Operational Program Sustainability and Resource Efficiency.

Algar, an EGF concessionaire in the Algarve region, has launched a new awareness-raising campaign on selective packaging separation, with the aim of encouraging the use of ecopoints by residents and visitors in the region during the summer. online newspapers in Mupis and Municipal Outdoors.

The initiative was created based on the concept: In Algarve be Algarvian, recycle!

For a local visitor the issue of recycling is something of everyday life, where the habit of separating at home may already be rooted, but that on vacation often falls into oblivion.

For an Algarvian to go to Ecoponto means to preserve their land, since the recyclable materials that can be placed in the ecoponto are not landfilled. It is also a source of regional pride, especially due to the results of the amount of recyclables sent annually, per capita, compared to the values ​​presented in other regions of the country.

The campaign thus shows the Algarvians' pride in the good results of recycling and reminds visitors to travel to Ecoponto during their holidays, showing both that recycling is very serious in the Algarve.

The images of the campaign are based on the Algarve heritage (most tourist universe), namely: culture, gastronomy, climate and natural beauty, always passing the message “SEPARE”, as follows:

Recycling is also our beach… .. The Algarvians have over 3500 ecopoints available…. In Algarve Be Algarve: Separate

Recycling is also part of our nature…. The Algarvians separate more than 38 thousand tons of waste per year…. In Algarve Be Algarve: Separate

Recycling is also part of our culture…. The Algarvians separate more than 15 thousand tons of glass per year…. In Algarve Be Algarve: Separate

The images chosen to illustrate the campaign are visual references from the Algarve and allow to easily associate the message and concept of the campaign with the most attractive points sought in the region.

Algar, an EGF concessionaire in the Algarve region, collaborates with the “OPERATION MOUNTAIN VERDE 2019”, an initiative of Zoomarine, to plant 42 thousand trees.

Algar and Zoomarine, the promoter of the Algarve reforestation campaign called “Operation Green Mountain 2019”, have signed a cooperation agreement to promote the planting, on a pro bono basis, of 42 thousand trees of different species in 8 municipalities. Algarve (Silves, Loulé, Portimão, Monchique, Lagoa, Olhão, Tavira and São Brás de Alportel), to be held during the month of November 2019 (November 10, a Sunday, for families, the general public and November 11, a Monday, also for school groups).

The company collaborates with this action for the second year in a row, as it recognizes that the initiative is a determining factor for the region in the area of ​​Environment and Nature Conservation.

Under this Agreement, Algar undertakes to:

a) Cooperate actively and cooperatively with Zoomarine and its representatives in the logistical, technical, conservation, educational and related actions inherent in the “Operation Green Mountain”;

b) Make available, free of charge, the organic compound Nutriverde, produced by the company through the green waste generated in the region, which will be used to plant trees in each of the 8 municipalities participating in the campaign;

c) Encourage the presence of volunteers on planting days;

d) Provide bags and containers for the separation and disposal of recyclable waste produced by participants during the campaign, as well as their subsequent removal and referral for proper recovery.

The company stresses that the objective of this action is to raise awareness of the importance of forest protection, especially given the numerous fires that have been felt in our country and in the region in particular. The consequences affect biodiversity, sometimes by extinguishing plants and animals, baring soils that in extreme atmospheric conditions, such as heavy rainfall, suffer entrainment and loss of land. The initiative thus intends to encourage the Algarvians to plant a tree, as a way to contribute to the increase of vegetal coverage of the region.

About Nutriverde®

NUTRIVERDE® is produced by ALGAR from green waste. It is a 100% natural organic compound that, besides not being aggressive and polluting to nature, brings numerous benefits to the soil, as it fights erosion and improves its physical, chemical and biological properties. Its excellent quality promotes higher yields in agricultural crops.

It can be purchased at ALGAR's premises during their opening hours. The company has 3 Green Composting Units in operation, in Portimão, São Brás de Alportel and Tavira. NUTRIVERDE® deliveries can be made by ALGAR, subject to conditions to be agreed with the customer. Currently they are made in bulk and in a big bag (packaging with about 800 kg). For more information see the website www.algar.com.pt

Valorsul's “Everybody Can Compost” program is an innovative community composting project developed by the EGF concessionaire of the North and West Lisbon region, which provides a community composter in five green spaces in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. People living in the surroundings of each of these five sites can participate by handing over their organic waste to be turned into natural fertilizer.

The implementation of the “Everyone Can Compost” project was carried out in partnership with the municipalities, which are now responsible for their management and maintenance. The resulting compost will be offered to users or used by the municipality itself.

This initiative allows the reduction of the amount of waste deposited in municipal containers while valuing the organic matter present in municipal waste.

In addition to the community composter itself, the project promoted by Valorsul ensured the training of the municipal staff responsible for the composters and developed a communication and awareness campaign for the practice of community composting, aimed at the population living in the surroundings of each of the five sites. to know about the new equipment and the benefits of composting.

The "Everyone Can Compost" program benefits from the support of PO SEUR, which funded training and communication materials.

This initiative responds to the growing number of citizens with environmental concerns in their daily lives who are willing to change their behavior and contribute to reducing their ecological footprint. Composting is a 100% natural process where vegetable waste comes to life, becoming fertilizer for the land.

“Everyone Can Compost” is available at the following locations:

Central Park of Amadora.
Ribeirada Integrated Park, Odivelas.
Green Park of the Cruzeiro Hills, Odivelas.
Pedagogical Farm of Olivais, Lisbon.
Ecobundy Garden, Vila Franca de Xira.

ERSUC, EGF's concessionaire in the central region, and the Albergaria-a-Velha City Council, have established a partnership for door-to-door collection of recyclable waste in commercial establishments, services and schools, with the aim of diverting recyclables from undifferentiated waste stream.

“This partnership meets the objectives and targets set out in the ERSUC Selective Collection Resumption Goal 2020 PERSU Action Plan, and involves the provision of various means, including 1 collection vehicle, 2 employees, bags for the separation of recyclables, previous training of teams and awareness actions for all schools involved in the project. ”, explains Miguel Ferreira, Executive Director of ERSUC.

The implementation of the project on the ground involved the teams of ERSUC and the Municipality, with sensitization to the establishments, which were made available green, blue and yellow bags to collect respectively glass, paper and cardboard and plastic and metal packaging, later collected. door-to-door on predefined days and sent to the ERSUC screening facility in Eirol.

After 2 months in the field, with more than 150 schools and 25 participating schools, 7.4 tons of paper and cardboard, 8.8 tons of plastic and metal packaging and 4.7 tons of glass have been collected.

“This partnership allows us to provide a better service to the population of Albergaria-a-Velha, getting closer to the production sites and meeting the need for recyclable management, contributing to a better environmental performance of the municipality,” says António Loureiro, Mayor from Albergaria-a-Velha.

The 25th Super Bock Super Rock returned to Meco between July 17 and 20 and was an Amarsul Ecoevent.

With the support of Amarsul and the Municipality of Sesimbra a selective packaging collection system was implemented at Herdade do Cabeço da Flauta. In an unprecedented operation, 104 equipments were available, including 30 m3 structures for the packaging of paper / cardboard and plastic and metal packaging, reinforcement in all the waste production sites of the enclosure, stages and camping with 38 Ecopoints. metal and tilting glass distribution to the glass producing stands, as well as metal structures for selective deposition.

It also had an awareness raising action for campers, dedicated to the good practices of prevention, reuse and recycling of waste. The organization of the Super Bock Super Rock festival by collaborating in the monitoring and evaluation of results regarding the waste produced contributed decisively to the diversion of landfill waste by implementing good environmental practices.

Amarsul teams received the campers, sensitized and made known the location of the festival's permanent containers and collected used plastic packaging under the motto: “Recycle everything, always and everywhere!”

In addition, the organization has established partnerships with the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, the environmental association Quercus and Sociedade Ponto Verde.

At the end of the event, the results were over 8 tons of packaging for recycling: 4,583kg of plastic and metal, 2,343kg of paper and cardboard and 1,219kg of glass, produced by about 80,000 visitors in just 4 days. The counterpart value of these packages will be donated by the organization to the League of Friends of Lagoa de Albufeira - LIALA.

Amarsul's “Ecoeventos Program” is a project co-funded by POSEUR - Operational Program for Sustainability and Resource Efficiency, integrated in a national campaign coordinated by EGF, and aims to significantly contribute to the increase in the quantity and quality of selectively collected materials. at events.

Mota-Engil published the 2018 Sustainability Report, a publication to which EGF and the various concessionaires contributed specific information about their activity.

In this publication you can find specific Environmental, Social and Economic information on waste treatment and recovery activities, among other useful information in the various sectors in which the Mota-Engil Group operates.

For more information and download: Mota-Engil 2018 Sustainability Report

There were 12 tons of packaging waste sent for recycling and that resulted from adequate environmental behaviors of the participants and organizers of the Alvarinho of Monção Fair. This initiative took place between July 5 and 7, where a new ECOEVENTOS flag was promoted, promoted and supported by Valorminho, EGF's concessionaire in Alto Minho.

Since the Environmental issue is a priority, this partnership has contributed to a better environmental performance of the Municipality of Monção and consequently of the country, regarding the management of the waste produced during the whole event.

The Environmental cause this year joined hands in solidarity, the joint could not have been better! All recyclable waste has been "transformed" into euros (€), which will revert this year to the Humanitarian Volunteer Firemen Association of Monção.

The producers of alvarinho were present and also the difference, and Valorminho provided 30 m3 structures for the packaging of glass, paper / board and plastic and metal packaging, reinforced the enclosure containers, distributed glass, distributed containers of 240 l for the stands producing alvarinho, provided structures for the selective deposition.

Valorminho and the Municipality of Monção sensitized all the stands installed, with the distribution of Ecobags for the separation of waste.

During August, in partnership with the Living Science Center of the Algarve, Algar, EGF's concessionaire in the Algarve region, is participating in the project Ciência Viva in the Summer in Network. It starts on July 15 and ends only on September 15. This initiative has been organized for 23 years by Ciência Viva, in collaboration with more than a hundred scientific institutions, Centros Ciência Viva, associations, municipalities and companies.

There are about 800 actions for all ages and throughout the country, always in the company of experts. Observations of the night sky at Tibães Monastery, ethnobotanical itineraries through the footbridges of the Paiva, SunSets with Science in the Algarve beaches, botanical visits to the Estufa Fria de Lisboa and routes from the Mãe d ' Água das Amoreiras to know the water heritage of the capital are some of this year's activities.

It is the third consecutive year that Algar is invited to participate. This year the company proposes to make guided visits to the Transfer Station and Triage of Faro / Loulé / Olhão (Loulé) and / or Portimão Landfill.

Visitors will be accompanied by a technician who will show the processes of recovery and treatment of the various types of municipal waste received at these facilities, namely: sorting and forwarding of recyclable packaging to the recycling industry; the confinement of undifferentiated waste in Landfill; the treatment and valorization of the biogas in the Energy Enhancement Unit and the treatment and valorization of the Green Residues in the Composting Unit, where they are transformed into an organic compound.

Take the invitation, take the science in your suitcase on vacation. See the Live Science Summer Program in Network and reserve your places at www.cienciaviva.pt/veraocv/2019/. Visits to Algar's facilities are subject to prior registration.

ALGAR, EGF concessionaire in the Algarve region, and ENTRAJUDA (Algarve), have revealed results of the "Separar para Alimentar" campaign in favor of the Food Bank Against Hunger in the Algarve (BACF), an initiative that has been in existence for 5 years .

The objective of this campaign has been to collect plastic, metal and ECAL recyclable packaging (cartons for liquid food) and with its sale to purchase food products suitable for children up to 36 months of age. As part of this action, deposition centers were set up to collect material at ALGAR and at the Alimentar Bank of Algarve.

The results of 2018 allowed us to obtain sufficient funds to purchase approximately 680 food potatoes, adapted to the specific nutritional needs of children in this age group, which will be delivered to families supported by the Algarve Food Bank.

According to Nuno Alves, President of the BACF of the Algarve «The BACF of the Algarve currently cooperates with 107 institutions, providing support to 3,818 families through the distribution of food to 9,410 people, of which 2,219 are children under 12 years of age , for whom this support of the "Separar para Alimentar" will go.

The BACF also contributes with 19,704 meals that are prepared daily by 63 institutions (breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners). "

Campaign balance over last 5 years

"Since 2013 the campaign has received adherence by the population and several local entities, which with the gesture of separation of waste already ensured the referral, to recycle 44 135 kg of waste packaging and allowed the delivery of € 5,000 in food, helping those who need it the most. "says Telma Robim, Chairman of the Algar Executive Committee.

The result of this initiative has been very positive, so it will continue until August 31, 2019, when it will end to give rise to "tons of aid", a project that will be released by Algar later this year.

Until then, all those who wish to collaborate with the "Separar para Alimentar", will be able to deliver the empty packages at Algar's facilities, which are distributed throughout the Algarve region (www.algar.com.pt) from Aljezur to Alcoutim, or on the premises of the Food Bank in Portimão and Faro, informing that they do it in favor of the campaign.

Advantages of Recycling for the Environment - Curiosities

The separation of packaging for recycling allows saving natural resources, but without the collaboration of all will be impossible to succeed. The 44,135 kg of plastic containers that were sent for recycling during these five years of the campaign allow the production of sufficient raw material (polyester) to produce 54,494 polyester sweaters or 88,000 pairs of polyester pants. So contribute, be part of this cycle, always separate and everywhere!

VALORLIS, the EGF concessionaire in the Leiria region, and the Marinha Grande City Hall, presented the project "Ecological Islands" to the population on July 4 in Marinha Grande.

This project - selective proximity collection - is a pilot project that aims to bring ecopoints closer to the population, provide means for separation in locations where there is difficulty in placing ecopoints and increase the amount of waste sent for recycling.

"Valorlis has been reinforcing the ecopoints network in its area of ​​intervention by bringing containers to the recyclables of the population, so as to make the separation of these wastes more convenient. In some areas of Marinha Grande this reinforcement will be done by replacing traditional ecopoints with smaller containers, placed closer to each dwelling and in greater numbers, "explains Marta Guerreiro, Valorlis' Delegate Administrator.

Provision is made for the proximity collection of 618 containers (206 ecological islands) for the separation of the recyclable waste by the population, collected with a specific collection vehicle with the following phasing:

Phase 1 - from July 8: Amieira, Albergaria, Marinha Pequena, Pero Neto and Trout

Phase 2 - September, Comeira, Guarda Nova, Order and Portela

Phase 3 - September, Embra

The areas covered in this project are residential areas with a greater density of small dwellings and areas where there is difficulty in the placement and collection of traditional ecopoints. It is estimated that the population covered by this action is about 10,000 inhabitants.

This action will require close monitoring by Valorlis to improve the selective separation of recyclables, analyzing the filling degrees and adjusting the periodicity of collection. The installation of the "ecological islands" will be accompanied by door-to-door sensitization by Valorlis teams to the residents of the areas covered, which will clarify any doubts regarding the separation of waste and warn of the correct use of the containers.

"This project aims to encourage the habit of separating domestic waste, making available other forms of deposition, explains Marta Guerreiro and adds" Valorlis has the participation of the entire community around this project to jointly achieve the demanding defined targets for Valorlis in terms of material sent for recycling. "

The "ecological islands" - Proximity Collection are co-financed by the POSEUR - Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources, and aim to increase the amounts of selectively collected waste.

Algar, EGF concessionaire in the Algarve region, and the São Brás de Alportel City Council joined on July 3, "International Day Without Plastic Bags", to promote an awareness campaign in the city's Municipal Market. The action was carried out with the objective of alerting to the excessive consumption of plastic bags, proposing alternatives to solve this serious environmental problem.

The lightweight plastic bags are harmful to the environment and to health. In the trash they mix with the rest of the residues. They end up in landfills or in the environment, where they can stay for more than 300 years. According to the characterization of the residues deposited in landfills of 2018, performed by Algar, 13% correspond to the category of plastics, 76% of which correspond to light plastic bags.

What to do with plastic bags?

The "International Day Without Plastic Bags" calls for the change of behavior of all the people in the world regarding the use of plastic bags. Each of us must make an effort to preserve the environment, choosing to reduce the use of plastic bags, reuse whenever possible and if they can not be reused, should be deposited in the yellow container for recycling.

ALGAR and the São Brás Municipal Council warn that if everyone does their part, separating the waste they produce, everywhere and everywhere and correctly depositing that waste in the corresponding containers, they will contribute to avoiding environmental pollution and ensure that the waste is properly disposed of. For more information on this initiative: www.algar.com.pt

Amarsul Eco Beaches is a campaign to raise awareness and collect used plastic packaging on beaches, which runs between June 22 and September 15, 2019, in 33 beaches in the Municipalities of Almada, Sesimbra and Setúbal. network of permanent containers for selective collection for the population to recycle their packaging waste.

This campaign has a strong awareness component, with actions targeting the population at the weekends and, during the week, actions directed at the colonies and holiday camps, which will be hosted by Amarsul teams. The good environmental behavior will be rewarded and the action will be marked with identification wristbands to remember the day when "Let's Recycle by the Sea".

In this initiative will also include and cleanings of beaches and recycling workshops. With the aim of removing landfill and ocean waste, Amarsul teams will go to the beaches, collect used plastic containers through "mobile containers" , raise awareness of the location of the permanent containers of the beach and clarify the population's doubts.

The campaign began on June 22, in the beaches of Lorosae and Morena (Almada), Ouro (Sesimbra) and Figueirinha (Setúbal) and a total of 148 actions are scheduled.

Beaches covered

ALMADA (28)

Albatross | Lorosae | Leblon | Bicho d'Agua | Sunset | Kontiki | Naked Dolphin Foot | Mata | Grain of Sand + Riviera | Casa do Sol + Rainha | Castle (Manduca + Yamba) | Fisherman's hut (Delmare + Half Metro) | Princess | King (Hula Hula) | Morena (Borda d'Agua) | Mermaid (Waikiki) | Infante (Tortoise) | Bela Vista (Casa da Praia) | Terminus | American (Move On) | Aroeira (Beach Bar) | Cabana Beach | Ramp | Kailua | Oh, Ti João - 1 | Areias da Telha | Bamboo

SESIMBRA (2)

California | Gold

SETÚBAL (3)

Albarquel | Figueirinha | Creiro

Mota-Engil and EGF are part of the Advisory and Ethics Board of APCE - Portuguese Business Communication Association, and actively presented the results of the working groups, made up of professionals from several companies, where they highlighted new ideas and paths to increase the activities of the association.

This meeting took place on June 7, and is the culmination of a work of reflection and constructive discussion, which has resulted in concrete proposals and which will now have the opportunity to be put into practice by the association, which will disseminate them in a timely manner.

On World Environment Day, EGF announces the ongoing renovation movement and promotes public education and environmental awareness initiatives across the country through its concessionaires.

This renewal takes place on all fronts - infrastructure is built, new facilities are planned, processes are optimized, fleets and containers are upgraded, new selective collection circuits are implemented, employees are empowered, talents are promoted and pilot projects for larger scale projects.

This wave of investment - twice as much as in 2016 and 2017 - and the implementation momentum is accompanied by a commitment to municipalities and citizens and is exemplified by facts:

• 169 new vehicles to be rolled out in 2018;
• more than 55,000 new containers for selective collection of packaging;
• expansion of sorting lines in the contracting phase;
• lean processes in implementation; innovation in contact with the citizen who rewards him for his actions;
• and two support landfills - North and South - that guarantee facility support.
   

MORE QUALITY OF SERVICE

The new collection vehicles have already begun to circulate and the availability of services to citizens has increased - the number of collection sites and door-to-door collection solutions has increased throughout the country. This increase in capacity to receive and transport is accompanied by the expansion of sorting lines, of which the highlight is the ongoing process at Valorsul with the remodeling of the Lumiar and West sorting centers and the new green waste composting unit.

But none of this would be possible without involving the citizen in the process, and the EGF has ongoing campaigns and large-scale actions that change the paradigm in contact with the population. The campaigns added to the placement of the new ecopoints, actions with specific information on the use of containers (sad ecopoints), tailored door-to-door collections (with emphasis on the Suldouro project in Vila Nova de Gaia and Santa Maria da Feira , which is the second largest door-to-door collection project in the country) and innovative actions that reward citizens with their environmentally sound behavior - innovative solutions that leverage EGF for a new phase of its journey.

Watch the report on the Festa do Alvarinho and Fumeiro EcoEvent, a reference of good practices and concretised by the Municipal Council of Melgaço and by the company of Valorminho, which raised a total of 10.5 tons of packaging for recycling, produced by about 60,000 visitors in just 3 days.

This EcoEvent happened from April 26 to 28 and has already 25 editions, but this time was even more sustainable. In addition to good environmental practices implemented in the site, all recycling efforts of the organization and participants were encouraged and accounted for.

Valorminho has made available 30 m3 of glass, paper / board and plastic and metal packaging, reinforced the enclosure containers, distributes 240 l glass for the alvarinho producing stands, provided structures for the deposition selective and oil spills to the restaurants installed on the premises. During the party on the 27th and 28th, domestic ecopoints were distributed to the population.

All the booths installed were sensitized by Valorminho and by the Municipality of Melgaço, with the distribution of Ecobags for the separation of waste.

This year, Valorminho had a partnership with Sociedade Ponto Verde, marking its presence with backpackers who circulated throughout the event encouraging the separation of packaging and facilitating access to their separation.

To watch the report: CLICK HERE

WHAT IS AN ECOEVENT?

An EcoEvent is a one-off initiative, certified by each EGF concessionaire, which takes place in a predefined space, which has a limited duration and is an example of adopting appropriate environmental measures that promote sustainability concepts. The EcoEventos are supported with an appropriate selective collection service adapted to their size, local awareness and economic benefits associated with the quantity of containers separated correctly.

For more information on EcoEvento, CLICK HERE

Recycle BinGo has arrived at Resiestrela, the EGF concessionaire of the Beira Interior Region, a new APP for the families living in the municipalities of Almeida, Belmonte, Celorico da Beira, Covilhã, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Fornos de Algodres, Fundão, Guarda, Manteigas, Meda, Penamacor, Pinhel, Sabugal and Trancoso. Despite being an APP, it works mainly as a game that makes the recycling experience much more fun and rewarding. How?

Simple.

The main mission of the game is to make visits to our usual container for selective collection (ecopoint).

Through geolocation, our Smartphone knows that we are close to it. Upon check-in we unlock a set of friendly animals, the EcoGifts, with which we fill our BinGo cards. Each time we complete a card, we earn EcoCoins - which we can exchange for great prizes, such as movie tickets, discount vouchers, and more.

In addition to this main mission, the application is launching special surprise missions with the aim of improving Portuguese knowledge about recycling, maintaining the involvement with Recycle BinGo. And of course, reward the most friends on the planet.

Recycle BinGo is available on the App Store and on Google Play.

We are sure that this association of Resiestrela to Recycle BinGo will help us all to fulfill the important recycling goals that Portugal is facing in the short term. For this to happen, this news needs to spread.

Help us spread the recycle bin. We count on you.

Learn all about the most friendly game on the planet at: www.recyclebingo.pt

On International Recycling Day, EGF publishes its 2018 numbers, which show an overall increase of 11% in the selective collection of packaging, with specific growths in some materials that exceeds 30%.

Global numbers

In the 174 municipalities served by the EGF concessionaires, 3.3 million tons of urban waste were produced;

Of this amount, 482,000 tons of waste were collected in a selective manner, which corresponds to 15% of the total waste produced by the resident population in the municipalities served by EGF;

With the collected waste, EGF produced 465 GWh of energy, 300,000 tons of recyclables and 30,000 tons of organic correctives.

Valorsul is once again participating in the Let's Clean Europe initiative, a project aimed at raising citizens' awareness of environmental issues, in particular for waste disposed of in natural spaces and for the necessary cleaning interventions in those spaces.

This European-wide movement encourages these actions by keeping the 3R's present: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Cleaning actions are a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the waste problem and lead the population to change behavior. Last year, 14,347 cleaning actions were carried out all over Europe!

This year 12 actions were scheduled in the Valorsul area. The project started in April and until June 11 is scheduled several cleaning activities for ponds, beaches, schools and streets in various locations. For more information, click HERE

This campaign, because of its European dimension, is an added value in the call for attention to waste issues by mobilizing the most diverse members of society to voluntarily join and become involved in waste: from associations, associations, schools, groups from citizens, trade establishments and services to public institutions, for example. This initiative began on March 1 and ends on June 30, but registration for cleaning actions is accepted until June 15.

Valorlis, Ourém Municipality and Fátima Sanctuary reinforce the selective collection, in an initiative that was supported by Sociedade Ponto Verde.

Valorlis, an EGF concessionaire in the region of Leiria, in partnership with the Municipality of Ourém and the Fátima Sanctuary, reinforced the quantity of containers and the means of selective collection to allow the pilgrims to separate the waste during the pilgrimages of the May 13 to Fatima.

To this end, more containers have been made available for the separation of recyclable waste since May 11 and in the parking lots selective disposal structures and 30m3 containers have been made available for the packaging of paper and paperboard and plastic and metal packaging.

In the surrounding area, daily collection of the existing ecopoints and door-to-door collection were carried out in commercial establishments.

The reinforcement of equipment was accompanied by sensitization, with sensitization teams from Valorlis and backpackers of the Ponto Verde Society in Fatima to encourage pilgrims to make the correct separation of waste.

 "This year Valorlis, the Municipality of Ourém, the Sanctuary of Fatima and the Sociedade Ponto Verde have joined efforts to provide a better service to those who travel to Fátima these days," says Marta Guerreiro, CEO of Valorlis. to provide a welcome to the pilgrims, to create conditions for the site to be cleaned and to send the waste produced for recycling, which is an environmental benefit for all. "

EGF was honored with one of the FUNDACOM Awards, the communication prizes of the Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries, with the event Plastics and Marine Environment, in the category of External Event up to 1000 people, in a ceremony held on May 9 in Madrid, integrated in an international reference event for communication professionals.

This award distinguished an initiative that was held on September 26, 2018, in partnership with the Oceans Communication Center, with the presentation of a unique lecture, held at the Valorsul's Sorting Centre in Lisbon, in a studio prepared for the effect with 49 plastic bales (PET), a total of 10 tons that were sent to recycle and that can, for example, become 40,800 t-shirts!

After the lecture, a visit to the Sorting Center was conducted, where the participants had the opportunity to see the whole treatment process of the packages that we put in the ecopoints for recycling. This initiative was also transmitted LIVE and in addition to the presence on the site, it was possible to watch via internet.

The aim of the initiative was to raise awareness to the problem from a concrete point of view and to present solutions, namely that human behavior should be more conscious so that waste can be prevented, reused and exploited on land so that it never reaches the sea.

The award-winning lecture is available in its entirety HERE

FUNDACOM is the foundation for the promotion of corporate communication in Spanish and Portuguese in the world and certifies and distinguishes as winners entities with good communication practices in various areas of activity.

EGF had three other finalist projects, which were highlighted at the ceremony: the Ecovalor Program (campaign dedicated to the school community); the EcoEventos campaign (an action that promotes more sustainable events); and APP Recycle Bingo (a digital application for all citizens to recycle more enthusiastically).

All the finalist projects and winners can be consulted HERE

ALIGNMENT OF THE AWARDED LECTURE

Microplastics: What are they and what can we do?

- Dra Filipa Bessa - Researcher (biologist) of the MARE-University of Coimbra, specialized in microplastics in marine environments.

Plastic trash in the seas off the coast of Cascais

- Miguel Lacerda - sailor, diver and leader of a pioneering study on plastic garbage on the cliffs and remote beaches of Cabo da Roca and its surroundings.

Prevention, Reuse and Recycling

- Susana Silva - Responsible for the area of ​​Communication and Awareness of the company Amarsul, will present the latest social innovation projects of EGF.

About the Oceans Communication Center

The Oceans Communication Center is a project of Nysse Arruda, journalist and curator, nautical specialist for more than 20 years in Portugal, author of several publications and awarded in 2016 by the Femina Prize. This project was initiated to promote the debate on the essential issues associated with the Sea, and obtained institutional support from various institutions, including the Presidency of the Republic, the Ministry of the Sea, the Ministry of the Environment, the Lisbon City Council, the Hydrographic Institute, the Sciences of Lisbon, IPMA and Unesco-Portugal.

This project is also sponsored by the Olympic sailors João Rodrigues and Joana Pratas, but also with the Brazilian sailor Torben Grael, the surfer Garret McNamara and the American NGO Marine MegaFauna Mozambique.

About EGF

EGF, Environmental Global Facilities, is a European company of reference in the environmental sector and leader in waste treatment and recovery in Portugal. Reinforced by its integration into the MOTA-ENGIL Group, EGF is the majority shareholder in 11 waste treatment concessionaries: Algar, Amarsul, Ersuc, Resiestrela, Resinorte, Resulima, Suldouro, Valnor, Valorlis, Valorminho and Valorsul.

Algar, an EGF concessionaire in the Algarve region, collaborates with the CLEAN BEACH OPERATION and warns of the importance of correct separation / disposal of waste. It will be on Sunday, 12, that 6 beaches in 3 Algarve Counties (Silves, Albufeira and Lagoa) will be "flooded" by volunteers willing to contribute to what is already becoming an annual tradition in our beaches - waste collection who should never have come to our shores and our seabed.

Entries (https://weprotect5.wixsite.com/operacaopraialimpa) for this environmental volunteer will close at 3:00 p.m. on May 10 (Friday) and are important to ensure participants receive a commemorative t-shirt, cap , a certificate of attendance and of course a small snack.

Launched in 2017, in conjunction with "Operation Montaña Verde" (2016), "Clean Beach Operation" is part of the "Together We Protect" environmental responsibility initiative, conceived by Zoomarine, and aims to remove, over several kilometers at the level of the coastal strip and seabed), the human debris that should never be found on our beaches. This year, the partnership tripled and now covers the Municipalities of Silves, Albufeira and Lagoa.

In addition to the volunteers, the "Clean Beach Operation" will count with the collaboration of the Captaincy of Portimão, Águas do Algarve, ALGAR, LIPTON, University of Algarve, ODS Alliance and Vila Vita Parc Resort & the Dive Spot, EasyDivers and the Association of Professional Fishermen in Albufeira. And if we all do our part, separate the waste we produce, everywhere and everywhere, and correctly deposit that waste in the corresponding containers, we will contribute to avoid pollution and to ensure that the waste receives the appropriate destination. It also recalls that recyclable packaging waste must be placed in the ecopoints (the paper / carton in the blue container, the plastic / metal in the yellow container and the glass in the green container) otherwise they can not be recovered.

This Sunday we would like to count on the help of everyone (families, friends and colleagues of all ages) for a few minutes to pass two fundamental messages: (i) marine litter may not have been produced by everyone, but it harms everyone and (ii) the beaches belong to all, and of them we should be able to enjoy without pollution, without risks, and without guilt. So, this Sunday, can we count on your help?

_______________________________________________________________________

For more information, please contact:

- Élio Vicente, marine biologist

- Dir. Porto d'Abrigo do Zoomarine

- Tel .: 966 966 540

- E-mail: eliovicente@zoomarine.pt

- https://weprotect5.wixsite.com/operacaopraialimpa

- http://weprotect.zoomarine.pt/en/

- www.youtube.com/watch?v=hymMHVzIrkw

Amarsul, EGF's concessionaire in the Setúbal peninsula, reinforced the selective collection of glass in Barreiro with 233 green ecopoints.

Since the end of 2018, Amarsul has strengthened its ecopoint network by bringing recyclable containers from the population in a way that makes it easier to separate and dispose of waste. This project covers all the municipalities of the Peninsula of Setúbal, being co-financed by POSEUR - Operational Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources.

In the specific case of the Municipality of Barreiro, Amarsul is strengthening the network of GREEN ecopoints that will be distributed as follows:

• Parish of Santo António da Charneca - 38 units
• U.F. Alto do Seixalinho, Santo André and Verderena - 141 units
• U.F. Barreiro and Lavradio - 54 units

This investment complements the installation of the more than 400 containers for paper / carton and plastic / metal, made available to the citizens of Barreiro, reinforced by the awareness actions that are taking place among the population. With the correct separation of recyclables by citizens, less waste will be sent to landfill and everyone benefits: we pay less and recycle more.

EGF didparticipate in the European Commission initiative that was held in Madeira, #EUinmyRegion, at the invitation of the POSEUR (Operational Sustainability and Efficiency in Resource Use Program), a "Open Day" event to present the project STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATION COM A VIEW TO THE VALUATION OF URBAN WASTE.

This event also included the presentation of the project OPTIMIZATION AND REINFORCEMENT OF THE WASTE COLLECTION NETWORK OF WASTE - Water and Waste from Madeira, both supported by the Cohesion Fund, under POSEUR.

This event, which took place on Tuesday, May 7, at 10:00 am, in the Basic School 2/3 Dr. Horacio Bento de Gouveia, in Funchal, publicized the projects financed by the EU, and EGF was represented by Ana Loureiro , Director of Communication, who presented the developments and results of the most recent initiatives of social grouping of the Group.

ALGAR, EGF's concessionaire in the Algarve region, has reinforced its selective collection activity and has already implemented preventive measures to reinforce it for the summer, when the region considerably increases its population and, consequently, the production of waste.

This reinforcement has already been felt during the Easter period, a period that registered a high tourist influx to the region, especially during the school holidays, since the population almost triples the total of residents in those periods.

The objective is to respond effectively to the high production of packaging that is expected, in order to improve the quality of the service made available to the population.

Preventive measures implemented

In order to face the high growth of packaging waste in its facilities, distributed throughout the region, ALGAR is mobilizing human resources and equipment for the activities of Selective Collection and Sorting, namely:

• Recruitment of temporary labor to reinforce the Activity of Selective Collection, 11 drivers and 30 auxiliaries. With this reinforcement it is intended to reach the 60 teams;
• Acquisition of 7 new vehicles for the Selective Collection of ecopoints, which allowed a 32% increase in fleet capacity;
• Recruitment of temporary labor to support the Sorting Activity: 24 operators;
• Hiring of team leader for the Sotovento Sorting Unit;
• Between May and October, reinforcement in the collection of ecopoints and its surroundings, using external service providers;
• Increased number of ecopoints in 2019, with the installation of more than 350 new equipment. Soon, more than 3900 ecopoints will be available throughout the Algarve region (12,800 containers). The objective is to guarantee the ratio of one ecoponto per 126 inhabitants.
   

It should be noted that in addition to the ecopoints distributed by the 16 municipalities, 13 Ecocentros are available for the entire population, with capacity to receive large quantities of recyclable and larger packaging waste (three in Loulé, two in Albufeira and Portimão , one in Alcoutim, Aljezur, Castro Marim, Lagos, Tavira and Vila do Bispo).

The company also invests in the selective collection of waste from commerce and services, through its "Algarlinha" project (information 800 203 251), through the contracting of external operational support, which included collection teams and vehicles. This service provision covers the collection directly in the participating commercial establishments and the collection of envelopes in the ecopoints.

In partnership with municipalities for a more sustainable Algarve

ALGAR counts on the collaboration of the Municipalities to control and supervise the incorrect disposal of waste in the ecopoints, as well as to sensitize the population in the fulfillment of good practices, essential to the activity of selective collection, namely, to warn, to prevent parking with the ecopoints which makes it impossible to collect them by ALGAR vehicles, with consequent environmental problems.

This partnership has as main objective to improve the articulation between the entities of the region and ALGAR in the resolution of some operational constraints that arise, mainly in periods of greater population concentration in the Algarve. In this way, common methodologies can be defined in both urban cleaning and waste collection, through concerted efforts, optimization of resources and integration of contributions.

Open doors policy

ALGAR believes in a policy of open doors and is therefore available to receive regular visits from the population to its Sorting Units, where it is possible to closely observe the reception, handling and all the processing work of the waste that is collected in the ecopoints.

The visits are guided and give an opportunity to know the work that is done in the line of sorting with the separation of the high quantity of recyclable materials by row. The flow of the yellow (plastic and metal) container is separated into the different typologies: PET, HDPE, Film, EPS (Styrofoam), Mixed Plastics, ECAL (Cardboard Packaging for Liquid Foods), Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals. With regard to the flow of the blue container (paper and carton) received, one can observe the separation of contaminants such as grease and other dirty papers, followed by their preparation for baling. As for the material from the green container (glass), it is possible to observe its sorting, in an independent line, where the plastic bags and other undifferentiated waste are incorrectly mixed with these packages.

At the end of the activity, the visitor checks that the different materials, after being collected in the ecopoints, by flow, are sent to the sorting units, where they are better sorted, baled (with the exception of glass), packed and consigned to the recycling industry.

More information at: www.algar.com.pt

This year, almost 1 ton of material from the Rio Grande Tasquinhas EcoEvento was sent to recycle: about 250 kg paper and board and close to 750 kg of plastic and metal.

Valorsul, EGF's concessionaire for the regions of Lisbon (North) and West, once again awarded the "Ecoevento" certification to the Tasquinhas de Rio Maior. The 34th edition of this celebration took place from March 29 to April 10 and had about 100 thousand visitors. The commitment, assumed by the Municipality of Rio Maior to promote the proper waste management of this event and the planning in partnership with Valorsul, shows that it is possible to separate to recycle always and in all spaces.

Valorsul's support provided equipment, information materials on the rules of recycling and the "Cleaning Brigade", which ensured the correct separation of the waste, in addition to the collection itself by the Valorsul team.

Amarsul, EGF's concessionaire in the Setúbal peninsula, is promoting awareness campaigns along the ecological islands following the reinforcement of the ecopoint network and a closer approach to the population that makes packaging separation a more comfortable task.

In several municipalities, this reinforcement has been made with containers with a capacity of 1,100 liters (smaller than the traditional ecopoints of 2,500 liters), creating ecological islands. This project, co-financed by POSEUR - Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources, aims to increase and optimize the recyclable quantities separated at source.