ALGAR – Valorização e Tratamento de Resíduos Sólidos S.A. marks its 30th anniversary on May 20, celebrating three decades of dedication to sustainability and quality of life in the Algarve region. Since its inception in 1995, ALGAR has been a cornerstone in waste management, promoting resource valorization and actively contributing to the region's ecological transition.
Over these 30 years, ALGAR has established itself as a benchmark, serving 16 Algarve municipalities and approximately 480,000 residents (a number that triples during peak tourism season), with integrated and innovative solutions for the collection, sorting, valorization, and treatment of urban waste.
"We celebrate 30 years with pride in the achievements: over 10 million tons of waste treated, hundreds of thousands of tons recycled, and renewable energy generated from waste, directly impacting the region's quality of life and sustainability. These figures reflect our commitment to the Algarve but also challenge us to do more and better. The future involves enhancing operational efficiency, modernizing infrastructure, and investing in technological solutions, like Artificial Intelligence, to continue transforming waste into resources — for a greener, more circular Algarve, ready for upcoming environmental challenges." — Eng.ª Telma Robim, ALGAR's Executive Committee President.
30 Years in Numbers – A Visible and Tangible Impact
- Over 10.8 million tons of solid waste treated, including 733,000 tons selectively collected (glass, paper/cardboard, plastic, metal, wood, and batteries).
- More than 241,000 MWh of renewable electricity produced from biogas valorization — enough to power about 63,500 homes for a year.
- Over 59,300 tons of Nutriverde organic compost produced, sufficient to fertilize an area larger than 5,930 hectares of agricultural land or cover the turf of more than 8,300 official football fields.
- More than 717,000 tons of packaging collected (glass, paper/cardboard, plastic, and metal), which:
- 265,000 tons of recycled paper/cardboard, saving over 4.5 million trees;
- 141,000 tons of recycled plastic, avoiding the consumption of more than 204 million liters of oil;
- 309,000 tons of recycled glass, equivalent to saving over 370,000 tons of natural raw materials like sand, limestone, and soda.
- Over 100,000 participants in environmental education and awareness actions, engaging schools, businesses, and citizens in building a more sustainable Algarve.
More Than a Waste Management Company
For 30 years, ALGAR has been a catalyst for environmental, social, and economic transformation in the Algarve. With around 550 committed employees, the company has focused on innovation and environmental education as strategic pillars. Despite challenges related to population growth and infrastructure pressure, ALGAR has invested in technological and operational solutions to meet the region's current and future needs effectively.
Key initiatives include:
- Artificial Intelligence to optimize services (e.g., optimal placement of recycling bins);
- Progressive modernization of existing facilities and planning of structural investments;
- Environmental education and awareness projects, with thousands of actions targeting schools, businesses, and the general population, promoting more sustainable and conscious behaviors.
Award-Winning Innovation
ALGAR's latest innovation is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool developed in partnership with start-up NILG.AI to optimize the location of recycling bins. This project earned ALGAR the "Data Changemaker of the Year" award from DSPA (Data Science Portuguese Association) and NOVA SBE.
The tool, currently piloted in Lagoa Municipality under the Re-Source 3.0 program by Sociedade Ponto Verde, reduces decision-making time for new recycling bin locations by 83%, from twelve days to just two. Using AI algorithms to analyze factors like population density and accessibility, the system identified 14 potential new locations in just four hours, with an initial approval rate of 68%.
This innovation directly addresses the challenge of doubling recycling bins to meet PERSU2030 targets, contributing to more effective, accessible waste management aligned with European recycling goals.
Commitment to the Future
Celebrating 30 years, ALGAR reaffirms its commitment to a more circular, greener, and conscious future. Amid climate change, resource scarcity, and population growth, the company aims to continue leading the region's transition to a circular and low-carbon economy model.
Comments
Join Our Community
Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!