Eco-centres are places where recyclable waste can be deposited. It is easier to manage and handle the waste properly when it is deposited and separated at an exclusive site especially designed for the purpose Eco-centres are ideally suited for the deposit of large items or large quantities of recyclable waste that cannot be deposited in eco-bins because of their nature or size, as well as other types of waste not covered by the eco-bin selective collection system.

A landfill is the site where Solid Urban Waste (SUW), usually known as domestic rubbish, is finally deposited. However, certain conditions must be met before the rubbish can be deposited in order to ensure environmental safety and the best possible use of the available space. To this end, the SUW is packed into bales and deposited in cells that are covered over daily with earth. The technical and environmental conditions of the entire operation are monitored constantly. Landfills are a safe, controlled means of disposing of SUW. The useful life of a landfill is normally around 25 years, following which they are sealed and the resulting land is converted into parkland. Regular environmental checks are carried out on the site even after sealing in order to ensure that the conditions of the environmental reference framework are met.

Eco-bins are suitable for depositing small amounts of small-sized packaging waste, whereas eco-centres are designed to accept large quantities of large-sized waste. Apart from this, eco-centres can also accept other types of waste such as household electrical appliances, tyres, metal waste, etc.

In the Yellow Eco-bin! The carboard cartons used for drinks and liquids are actually made of around 75% cardboard, 20% plastic (polyethylene) and 5% aluminium. Until not so very long ago there was no nationwide consensus of opinion as to the most appropriate way of disposing of these cartons. In the Algarve, ALGAR followed the Sociedade Ponto Verde’s indications, advising people to put them in the blue eco-bin, whilst in other regions of the country the instructions were to place them in the yellow eco-bin. In an effort to standardise the criteria used, the Sociedade Ponto Verde, which is responsible for the Integrated Packaging Waste Management System throughout Portugal, has recently issued a recommendation that the yellow eco-bin is the most appropriate place for this type of waste to be deposited. As such, ALGAR is currently altering the signs on the bins as well as placing advisory stickers on them to draw people’s attention to the change.