Summary:
Urgent action required as Algarve landfills may run out of capacity by 2027.
Only 13 out of 35 landfills in Portugal have over 20% available capacity.
€2.1 billion investment needed for waste management by 2030.
59% of urban waste currently goes to landfills, far exceeding European targets.
New energy recovery units proposed to enhance waste management infrastructure.
Critical Waste Management Alert in Algarve
The capacity for waste disposal in landfills across the Algarve, North, and Lisbon & Vale do Tejo regions is projected to be completely exhausted by 2027 unless urgent measures are implemented, warns the Secretary of State for the Environment, Emídio Sousa.
Current Situation of Algarve Landfills
The two landfills in the Algarve, located in Cortelha (Loulé) and Rasmalho (Portimão), are in a critical state, with predictions of depletion as early as 2026. If construction and upgrades occur, this could extend to 2030.
Emídio Sousa highlighted that of the 35 landfills in Portugal, only 13 have more than 20% available capacity, with some potentially running out in just two years without immediate action.
Resistance to Expansion
The expansion of existing landfills faces considerable opposition from local communities, complicating the establishment of new facilities.
Action Plan for Waste Management
The newly presented action plan for waste management outlines an urgent need for intervention, with an estimated €2.1 billion investment required by 2030, including €700 million from various funding programs.
The TERRA plan, which stands for Transforming Waste into Natural Resources Efficiently, was unveiled at the Ministry of Environment and Energy. Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho noted that Portugal produces 5.338 million tons of urban waste annually, surpassing countries like Italy, Netherlands, and Spain. Alarmingly, 59% of this waste is sent to landfills, hindering the country’s ability to meet European targets of limiting landfill waste to 10% by 2035.
Key Proposals of the TERRA Plan
The plan aims to prevent waste generation, promote a circular economy, expand infrastructure capacity, and enhance institutional action. Notable proposals include:
- Establishing two new energy recovery units, one in the Central region and another smaller one in Alentejo/Algarve.
- Increasing energy recovery capacity at existing facilities like Lipor (North) and Valorsul (Lisbon & Vale do Tejo).
- Implementing the Circular Economy Action Plan for 2024-2030 and launching a national awareness campaign.
Urgent Need for Action
The plan emphasizes the necessity to bolster investments, expedite administrative processes, and reassess legal frameworks.
In the northern region, landfill situations are deemed critical, with potential depletion in two to three years unless new engineering solutions are applied. The Seixal landfill is particularly alarming, expected to run out next year.
While the Alentejo region has sufficient capacity until 2030, the Algarve is at risk of running out by 2026, extendable to 2030 with upgrades.
The document underscores that waste management is in a state of emergency, with current treatment capacities deemed insufficient.
In 2023, 19% more biorowaste was collected compared to the previous year, yet this is still considered inadequate, with only 14% of urban waste recycled.
When asked about the continuity of the plan amidst potential government changes, Emídio Sousa expressed confidence that the TERRA plan provides a viable solution to Portugal's waste problem, emphasizing that without it, the country may lack landfill options within two years.
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