The Algarve’s waste collection and treatment company, Algar, is increasing the availability of ecopoints.
Algar stated today that it is investing in a plan to improve the quality of the service it provides to locals and visitors.
In the first phase, to the end of June this year, 400 new ecopoints were installed. The second stage, to add a further 381 ecopoints throughout the region, will be completed by the end of the year.
The company also is placing larger containers at 355 rubbish collection points.
With the installation of this year’s 781 new ecopoints, the regions Councils will have a network of about 3,500 ecopoints, or one ecopoint for every 126 inhabitants.
Algar also is buying seven new collection vehicles and has taken on six additional employees to sort recyclable items.
The company also is investing in the collection of waste from the business sector by promoting a recycling awareness campaign in more than 2,200 commercial establishments.
The annual report from Portugal’s Environment Agency shows that the amount of rubbish produced in the country is rising and that efforts to increase recycling are failing as the amount of waste being recycled fell by 50,000 tons in 2017, a 9% decline.
The report describes a "significant decrease" in the recycling figures and attributes it to a fall in the amount of waste placed in recycling bins and a failure of mechanical selection of waste types at recycling centres – both being aspects that Algar is addressing.
