Portugal municipalities denounce waste‑collection failures by ERSUC and Volta scheme

The Intermunicipal Council of the Coimbra Region (CIMRC) criticised ERSUC – Resíduos Sólidos do Centro, the waste‑collection concession owned by EGF of the Mota‑Engil group, for repeated failures to collect waste in 36 municipalities across the districts of Coimbra, Aveiro and Leiria. Containers are regularly full, forcing towns such as Góis, Mealhada, Lousã and Cantanhede to replace the operator and collect waste themselves. Municipal leaders, including Góis mayor Rui Sampaio, described the situation as “inexplainable” and warned of public‑health risks.

A related problem is the litter generated by the Volta deposit scheme, where citizens overturn small containers to retrieve the 10‑cent deposit on packaging. Municipalities in Faro, Loulé, Funchal and other areas reported increased street waste, higher cleaning costs and the need for more frequent monitoring. Pedro Coelho, president of the municipal cleaning company in Faro, called for stronger container security, higher fines and a review of the incentive system to prevent further unsanitary conditions.