City embraces waste

Selective waste collection system and domestic composting 

Date of label : 29/10/2024

  • Viana do Castelo , Portugal

  • Size of city : 85.778 inhabitants

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Flyer promoting a waste separation initiative.

Summary

The Viana Embraces project has diverted organic waste away from landfills by using it as a resource, with cost savings used to benefit social solidarity institutions in the Municipality of Viana do Castelo (PT). In urban areas, the introduction of a new waste separation system has enabled biowaste capture to reach 50-72% efficiency, equivalent to about 96 kg per household annually. Instead of being sent to landfill, the urban biowaste is processed for energy recovery and composting. In rural areas, 8 085 domestic composters were distributed to households, with biowaste capture efficiency reaching 79%, totalling 954 tons for residents using the composters. 

The solutions offered by the Good Practice

By 31 December 2023:

  • In rural areas, 8 085 domestic composters were delivered to 7 643 households, and 6 710 active composters recycled 1 606 tons of biowaste at source.
  • In the urban area, more than 14 000 families joined the biowaste separation scheme.  

 

In 2017, before the project's launch, the Municipality of Viana do Castelo sent more than 12 000 tons of biowaste for disposal in landfills, at a disposal cost of over EUR 276 000.  

 

The project has significantly reduced the amount of food biowaste being sent to landfill, with environmental and economic benefits for the city. 

 

Identified areas for improvement include increasing the frequency of cleaning of biowaste collection equipment to reduce odours, and strengthening awareness campaigns to boost participation and quantities of biowaste collected for valorisation. 

Building on the sustainable and integrated urban approach

The Viana Embraces project delivers environmental, economic and social benefits. 

 

Environmental: The project promotes efficient biowaste management, by directing it towards the production of fertilisers and energy, while reducing methane and other pollutant gas emissions due to decreasing landfill deposition.  

 

Economic: The project promotes a circular economy by reusing biowaste as a resource. Home composting reduces the need to purchase fertilisers, while the costs related to waste management are also reduced.  

 

Social: The project promotes education regarding waste management, and citizen involvement through domestic composting in rural areas and source separation in urban area. It also financially benefits social solidarity institutions in the Municipality of Viana do Castelo. 

Based on participatory approach

The project demonstrates its participatory approach via social media, the municipality’s digital channels, and in published reports. 

 

Key stakeholders: 

 

Parish councils: Facilitated communication between authorities and citizens, especially during the project’s early stages.  

 

Resulima S.A.: The company responsible for the treatment of biowaste. 

 

Private entities: Provide the necessary equipment and materials for the implementation of the project, and also provide communication (e.g. radio and newspapers). 

 

Social solidarity institutions: Since the Viana Embraces project, the Municipality of Viana do Castelo has channelled the savings achieved, by diverting food biowaste from landfills, into social solidarity organisations where they provide social benefits. 

 

Collaboration among stakeholders is essential for the success of the project, with each entity contributing with its resources and capabilities. This promotes environmental sustainability, and generates economic and social benefits for the Municipality. 

What difference has it made?

The project has significantly impacted the Municipality of Viana do Castelo, by addressing environmental, economic, and social issues, and by promoting citizen involvement in mitigating climate change. 

 

By 31 December 2023, 8 085 domestic composters had been distributed across 7 643 households, with 1 606 tons of biowaste recycled at the source through 6 710 active composters. Regarding the project in the urban area, in 2023, more than 14 000 families had been incorporated into the new system for separation of biowaste. 

 

In 2017, before the project’s implementation, the disposal of biowaste in landfills from the Municipality of Viana do Castelo amounted to more than 12 000 tons (more than 2.5 times the mass of the Gil Eannes, the former Portuguese hospital ship that is permanently moored in the Port of Viana do Castelo), resulting in disposal costs exceeding EUR 276 000. Therefore, the project represents a broad and beneficial impact for the entire community. 

Why this Good Practice should be transferred to other cities

The Viana Embraces project is relevant to other European cities, as it aligns with the common European goals of environmental sustainability and the circular economy.  

 

It promotes effective biowaste management, transforming it into useful resources, namely, fertiliser compounds and energy. It also reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, thereby minimising environmental impact.  

 

Efficient waste management is essential for climate change adaptation, making cities more resilient to adverse conditions. The project falls under the EU 2021-2027 political objectives, serving as an example for other cities. 

 

The project aligns with:

  • The EU Waste Framework Directive.
  • European Green Deal.
  • The EU Circular Economy Action Plan.
  • National legislation, including guidelines and targets for waste management. 

 

It can be adjusted to suit other areas of the municipality, such as the historic city centre which lacks the selective collection of food biowaste. In this case, a door-to-door collection system could be implemented using smaller vehicles for biowaste collection. 

 

The Viana Embraces project can be replicated in other cities looking to implement similar methodologies for biowaste separation. However, adjustments should be made to meet the unique characteristics and needs of each city. Economic incentives and the social solidarity actions could be significant motivators for adoption. 

 

Under the Waste Framework Directive, EU Member States were required to selectively collect or separate biowaste at source by 31 December 2023. The municipality of Viana do Castelo introduced the project before this directive was published.