How Tourism is Shaping Waste Management Challenges in the Algarve

Pioneering Study on Municipal Solid Waste Management in the Algarve

A groundbreaking study on the treatment of Municipal Solid Waste in the Algarve has been launched by the CICEE – Centre for Research in Economic and Business Sciences, in collaboration with the University of Algarve and supported by Algar, a company from the EGF group. This study highlights the challenges posed by tourism in waste management within this region.

Urgent Need for Sustainable Solutions

The research, which gathered insights from five university institutions in Portugal and the USA, titled “The Implications of Tourist Activity in the Algarve Region for Urban Waste Management,” reveals an urgent need for sustainable solutions to tackle the environmental and economic impacts caused by high seasonal tourism in the area.

Significant Waste Production

In 2023, the Algarve recorded 29 million overnight stays, with 82% occurring during the peak season, resulting in significant pressure on waste management services. During August, tourism accounted for 41% of waste production, equivalent to 3.6 kg per overnight stay, which is more than double the per capita waste production of local residents.

Economic Impact of Waste Management

The economic implications are notable, as the total cost of waste management reached €81.3 million in 2023, with costs during the peak season soaring to €436 per ton for unsorted waste, compared to €147 per ton in the low season.

Current Waste Management Practices

The study also reveals that over 80% of municipal waste in the Algarve is sent to landfills, while recycling and reuse rates remain below 15%, falling significantly short of the EU targets for 2035, which aim for 65% recycling and reuse and a maximum of 10% landfilling nationally.

Proposed Measures for Improvement

To address the challenges of waste management during peak tourism seasons, the CICEE study outlines several measures:

1. Characterization of the relationship between tourism and waste management, analyzing solid waste production from tourism, differentiating sources and types of waste, and developing statistical and economic models to estimate management costs.
2. Implementation of a pilot project in 2025 to optimize waste management, including dedicated collection circuits involving regional stakeholders such as ALGAR, AMAL, ATR, tourism operators, hotels, and restaurants, alongside the development of environmental, social, and sustainability performance indicators.
3. Expansion of successful measures tested in the pilot project throughout the Algarve, promoting long-term sustainability through continuous monitoring of regional waste collection indicators and the development of specific indicators for annual improvement.

According to Professor Eduardo Cardadeiro, the study's coordinator, “Tourism is vital for the Algarve's economy, but we need to ensure that its growth does not compromise the region's sustainable development. This study is an important step in aligning local practices and needs with European environmental goals.”