# Portugal waste management and recycling progress > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/portugal-waste-management-and-landfill-reforms > Updated: 2026-09-11T15:52:24.000Z. Sources: 37. Developments: 11. By late May 2026, the Almargem environmental association warned that planned expansions of two sanitary landfills in the Algarve were unsustainable and urged a shift toward mechanical‑biological treatment, door‑to‑door collection, and stronger segregation to meet EU waste‑diversion targets. In June, operator Resialentejo reported that landfill use had fallen from 94% in 2012 to an expected 15% in 2026, approaching the EU 10% goal for 2030, while recycling rates surpassed benchmarks. July data from the Association of Municipalities of Central Alentejo showed continued gains in selective collection of paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, and glass, and a decline in mixed waste. The Azores reported 82% of waste valorised, cutting landfill disposal to 18% and setting a new packaging‑collection record. On 18 July 2026, Portugal launched a nationwide network of ecopoints managed by Sociedade Ponto Verde, becoming the sixth EU country with a universal packaging‑recycling system. The TERRA+ strategy presented on 27 July earmarked €2.3 billion for further cuts to landfill use, with a €1.1 billion tranche for organic‑waste processing and €1.2 billion for selective‑collection projects. Regional bodies highlighted the need for updated licensing and tighter coordination among the Environment Agency, municipalities, and waste operators. On 6 August 2026, the government approved a decree‑law exempting municipalities that meet EU recycling targets from the Waste Management Tax, redirecting revenue to the Environmental Fund. On 11 September 2026, eight civil society organizations formally requested that the government allocate at least 5% of producer responsibility contributions toward developing packaging reuse systems. Citing the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the groups argued that single-use plastic packaging imposes an annual burden of approximately 200 million euros on the country. They advocated for the “polluter-pays principle,” noting that the costs of transitioning to reusable systems should not fall primarily on entrepreneurs already promoting circularity. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Portuguese organizations urge funding for packaging reuse Eight Portuguese organizations are urging the government to allocate 5% of producer responsibility funds to develop packaging reuse systems to meet 2030 EU environmental targets. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portuguese-organizations-urge-funding-for-packaging-reuse ### 2026-09-05: Portugal announces new waste strategy and agency reforms Portugal's Environment Minister announced the ‘Terra +’ waste strategy to limit landfill use to 10% by 2035 and confirmed upcoming restructurings of the APA and ICNF to simplify licensing processes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-announces-new-waste-strategy-and-agency-reforms ### 2026-08-23: Portugal addresses waste management and recycling initiatives Portuguese authorities are addressing waste management challenges, with Palmela seeking stricter measures against illegal dumping and Madeira implementing the Volta deposit return system for recycling. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-addresses-waste-management-and-recycling-initiatives ### 2026-08-06: Portugal exempts municipalities meeting recycling targets from waste tax Portugal's new decree waives the Waste Management Tax for municipalities that meet EU recycling targets, redirects revenue to an environmental fund, and tightens rules on construction waste. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-exempts-municipalities-meeting-recycling-targets-from-waste-tax ### 2026-08-03: Portugal's beaches still swamped by plastic, waste woes continue Portugal’s beaches remain dominated by plastic litter, while summer urban waste spikes to 1.8 million tonnes and biowaste collection lags, threatening 2030 recycling goals. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-records-18-million-tonnes-of-waste-in-summer-urges-reduction ### 2026-07-27: Portugal pushes €2.3 bn TERRA+ waste strategy forward Portugal’s TERRA+ plan earmarks €2.3 bn to cut landfill, boost recycling and organic waste processing, with regional officials reviewing implementation. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-pushes-23-bn-terra-waste-strategy-forward ### 2026-07-20: Lisbon and Setúbal launch expanded waste‑recycling collection points Lisbon proposes Volta deposit collection points to reduce litter, while Refood extends a battery‑and‑lamp recycling drive in Setúbal and nearby towns until 30 Sept. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lisbon-and-setbal-launch-expanded-wasterecycling-collection-points ### 2026-07-18: Portugal expands recycling system and advanced biofuel use Portugal’s recycling network and new waste‑derived biofuels aim to boost circular economy and curb environmental decline. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-expands-recycling-system-and-advanced-biofuel-use ### 2026-07-15: Portugal's regions report gains in waste recycling and valorisation Portugal's Alentejo and Azores regions saw increased waste recycling in 2025‑26, with higher selective collection and 82% of urban waste valorised, cutting landfill use. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugals-regions-report-gains-in-waste-recycling-and-valorisation ### 2026-06-24: Resialentejo cuts landfill waste to 15% and exceeds EU recycling targets Resialentejo lowered landfill waste from 94% to 15% and boosted recycling to 65%, beating EU targets and plans a new landfill to sustain services in Baixo Alentejo. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/resialentejo-cuts-landfill-waste-to-15-and-exceeds-eu-recycling-targets ### 2026-05-28: Algarve landfill expansion criticised as unsustainable by environmental group Almargem says expanding Algarve landfills is unsustainable, breaching EU rules, with sites likely full by 2028, and urges mechanical‑biological treatment and better sorting. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/algarve-landfill-expansion-criticised-as-unsustainable-by-environmental-group --- Cite as: Portugal waste management and recycling progress. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/portugal-waste-management-and-landfill-reforms