Vilamoura, Faro, Portugal, Nov. 27, 2024 (Lusa) - The production of rubbish by tourists in the high season has a significant impact on municipal solid waste management in Portugal's Algarve region and reveals the urgent need to define sustainable solutions, according to a study presented on Wednesday in Vilamoura.
The study "The implications of tourist activity in the Algarve region for urban waste management", which brought together researchers from five universities in Portugal and the United States, reveals the "urgent need to define sustainable solutions to deal with the environmental and economic impact caused by high tourist seasonality" in this region.
According to researcher Eduardo Cardadeiro, the leader of the study, a tourist in the Algarve produces twice as much rubbish per day on average as a resident of the region, and the fact that there is a "strong seasonality" makes solid waste management more difficult.
"Tourism is fundamental to the Algarve's economy, but we need to ensure that its growth doesn't jeopardise the region's sustainable development," added the professor from the Autónoma University.
According to Eduardo Cardadeiro, the study will continue to be developed, having in this first phase, among other things, characterised the relationship between tourism and waste management and analysed the production of municipal solid waste by tourism.
"If we can better understand the impact of tourism on waste production and better manage this process, we may be in a better position to achieve targets in the waste sector, have more sustainable management and promote the Algarve as a destination that manages waste sustainably, promoting the circular economy," he said.
The study concluded that in the year 2023 the Algarve recorded 29 million overnight stays, of which 82% occurred during the high season, which generated significant pressure on the region's waste management services.
During the month of August, tourism was responsible for 41% of waste production, the equivalent of 3.6 kilos per overnight stay, which is more than double the ‘per capita’ production of local residents.
The production of waste in the high season also has an economic impact, since the total cost of waste management in 2023 was €81.3 million, with average costs significantly higher in the high season, reaching €436 per tonne for undifferentiated waste, compared to €147 per tonne in the low season.
The study also reveals that more than 80% of the Algarve's municipal waste is currently landfilled, while recycling and reuse rates are below 15%, below the targets set by the European Union for 2035.
The document also identified the need to implement measures to fulfil the targets set by the European Union and promote a circular economy and sustainable practices for the Algarve region.
In a second phase of the study, in 2025, a pilot project will be implemented to optimise waste management, such as dedicated collection circuits, through the involvement of regional partner entities, such as Algar, responsible for selective waste collection at recycling points (ecopoints), the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), tour operators, hotels and restaurants.
Environmental, social and sustainability performance indicators will also be developed to monitor progress and the adaptation of solutions to local needs.
Finally, in a third phase, the measures successfully tested in the pilot project will be extended to the entire Algarve region.
The study on the treatment of municipal solid waste in the Algarve was promoted by the Centre for Research in Economic and Business Sciences (CICEE), in partnership with the University of the Algarve and with the support of Algar.
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