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Ecoponto in Portugal

EIB supports sustainable economy in Portugal

EIB supports sustainable economy in Portugal

Solid waste investment plan and circular economy initiatives to be developed in Portugal

Waste management is one of the policy fields within EU that continuously improves. However, there is still much to do in terms of recycling and reuse. In average, approximately 36% is recycled or reused while the rest is burned thus contributing to some of the adverse effects on the environment. And incineration is one of the ways used to manage solid municipal waste all over Europe after landfilling.

Solid waste in Portugal

In 2013, Portugal presented its Strategic Plan for Municipal Solid Waste 2020. It committed 320 million euros including European funding. The funds were distributed according to percentage of waste generated. In 2018, landfill and mechanical and biological treatment represented more than 55% of the waste management operations with landfill reduced to more than 10% for the 2013-2018 period.

EMPRESA GERAL DO FOMENTO SA as a promoter has received funding by the EIB at the amount of 75 million euros. The total amount of the project is 224 million euros. The company is one of the biggest in the solid waste sector and has extensive experience of more than 70 years.

The main goals of the project are to fulfill obligations regarding solid waste and comply with the 2018 Circular Economy Package. The contract for the loan was signed in 2019 and will be with a 3-year duration.

The main activities under the project include:

  • Upgrade of 8 Mechanical Biological Treatment plants;
  • Upgrade of 11 Material Recovery Facilities;
  • Upgrade of 10 transfer stations;
  • 2 new Mechanical Biological Treatment plants;
  • 11 new sanitary landfills including energy recovery;
  • Procurement of equipment for separate collection;
  • Acquisition of 91 fuel-efficient trucks, etc.

The projected outcomes of the initiative will lie not only in the environmental impact but in the social one as well. It will contribute to the climate change and overall cohesion policy objectives as well as sustainable development and resource efficiency. It is expected to create new jobs not only for the duration of its implementation but for the actual operation of the different plants and equipment.

The project is one more example of Portugal`s firm commitment to contribute to its climate change and environmental goals, reduce its emissions and create a more efficient circular economy.

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