Guimarães: on track to be Portugal's first Zero Waste certified city

The city that could change Portugal's waste map

Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage city of around 160,000 people in northern Portugal, is the country's leading Zero Waste candidate: expected to achieve full ZWE Zero Waste Cities certification in 2026. Working with ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável, Guimarães is building the collection infrastructure, resident participation culture, and political commitment needed to become a national landmark for sustainable waste management.

What the candidacy involves

• Implementation of separate door-to-door collection for all main fractions
• Community composting and organic waste diversion
• Local plastic prevention policies and reuse promotion
• Regular monitoring and public reporting of waste reduction results

Why it matters for Portugal

Portugal currently sends 60 % of its municipal solid waste to landfill: one of the highest rates in Western Europe. Guimarães's certification would give the country its first credible proof point that a different path is achievable, and would directly inspire other candidate municipalities (Albergaria-a-Velha, Corvo, São João da Madeira, Vila de Rei) currently in the pipeline.

How to get involved

• If you live in Guimarães, follow the municipal environmental office for participation opportunities in the Zero Waste programme
• Follow ZERO for certification updates and policy advocacy tools
• Ask your local councillor how your municipality can begin the ZW candidacy process

Source & repost

Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it.

• National coordinator: ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável
• ZWE certification programme: Zero Waste Cities
• Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th edition