According to Electrão’s 2023 Executive Report, the Portuguese are recycling less glass, which calls into question compliance with the targets set by the European Union, it has now been revealed.
In 2023, 217,514 tons of glass packaging were recovered, equivalent to 21 kg per person, representing a decrease of 3% compared to the previous year.
According to the Waste Management Association – O Electrão, the amounts are insufficient for Portugal to comply with the glass packaging collection rate imposed by the European Union, which will increase from 56% to 70% next year. Used plastic, paper/cardboard and metal packaging has been collected according to established targets, but the challenge now is to significantly increase the recycling of glass packaging.
Electrão CEO, Pedro Nazareth, highlights the importance of working on multi-material collection and separating different families of materials to enhance recycling.
Electrão is developing strategies in collaboration with the HORECA sector (hotels, restaurants, cafeterias and catering) to increase the collection of glass packaging, as well as articulation with urban cleaning actions and the recovery of materials from unsorted waste.
Electrão is also a founding member of Plataforma Vidro +, a collaborative initiative that involves several agents in the packaging glass value chain, with the aim of making Portugal a reference country in the collection and recycling of glass packaging.
