Silves: Portugal's first separate stream for sanitary textiles and diapers

A collection pilot the rest of Portugal is watching

Silves, an Algarve municipality, became the first in Portugal to collect sanitary textiles and diapers as a dedicated separate waste stream: a hygiene category that normally ends up in residual waste and goes straight to landfill or incineration. The pilot, supported by ZERO, forms part of Silves's broader door-to-door collection overhaul in the Algarve region.

Why it matters

Diapers and sanitary textiles make up a significant share of household residual waste, yet they usually ride straight to landfill in mixed bins. Silves is Portugal's first dedicated collection pilot, a reference case other municipalities can copy once results are in.

What you can do

• If you live in Silves, ask the municipal environment office how to access the dedicated collection point or service
• Advocate for this stream in your own municipality by sharing Silves's results with local councillors
• Follow ZERO for policy developments around this waste stream nationally

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
• Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th edition