In 2024, Algar reaffirmed its commitment to technological innovation through two flagship projects:

• Robotic Arm for Packaging Sorting: an advanced system that will assist in the sorting of packaging in recycling processes. The robotic arm uses artificial intelligence to identify and separate materials accurately and efficiently, contributing to improved sustainability and waste reduction.
• 
  Artificial Intelligence Tool for the placement of recycling bins: Algar took an innovative step by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into waste management. With this tool, developed in partnership with Portuguese start-up NILG.AI, Algar aims to optimise the process of selecting locations for the installation of recycling bins, ensuring a more efficient and sustainable distribution. This pioneering project received the Data Changemaker of the Year 2024 award for technological excellence from the Data Science Portuguese Association and Nova SBE, recognising its impact on waste management and the environment.

These advances reinforce Algar's role as a pioneer in the use of cutting-edge technologies for sustainability and environmental efficiency.

Algar expanded the unloading dock area at the Albufeira Transfer Station to respond to the expected increase in the amount of bio-waste selectively collected by the municipality after 2024.

A new unloading area was built for this flow and new equipment was installed: containers and a hopper.

This operation ensures that bio-waste from selective collection in the municipality of Albufeira is stored in containers separate from the unsorted waste stream and transported for treatment and recovery at the Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) plant in Portimão.

The operation has enabled the facility to receive and transfer the new selective flow at a rate of 2,400 tonnes/year, complemented by the allocation of 1 vehicle and 1 semi-trailer suitable for transporting the containers to the MBT.

Recycling Hotline | New citizen service.

Algar has launched a new citizen service - the ‘Recycling Hotline’.

This unique and innovative project allows citizens to clarify any doubts they may have on a wide range of topics related to urban waste management. It is a free, nationwide public service provided by the EGF Group, of which Algar is a member, and is accessible through multiple channels: Telephone line: 800 911 400 (toll-free), available on weekdays, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 7pm. | Email:atendimento@linhadareciclagem.pt | website: www.linhadareciclagem.pt

Algar implemented the RECICLA+ pilot project, a free door-to-door collection service for recyclable waste (paper/cardboard, plastic/metal and glass packaging) in 1,500 homes in the municipalities of Loulé (Santa Catarina and Goncinha), Lagos (Montinhos da Luz) and Faro (Quinta do Eucalipto and Gambelas). The initiative included the purchase of four vehicles for selective collection and 4,450 containers for the disposal of packaging waste, and was supported by European Union funds. The total eligible investment of €384,360 was 85% co-financed by the Operational Programme for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources (POSEUR) under Portugal 2020, through the Cohesion Fund. The project was accompanied by an awareness campaign carried out among the participating population, with the support of Sociedade Ponto Verde, through 80% financing of €45,060, amounting to €36,048. The campaign aimed to increase the percentage of recycled packaging, contributing to achieving the packaging waste recovery targets set by the European Union and reducing the amount of urban waste sent to landfill.

This is a structural investment, built on the grounds of the Portimão Landfill, worth €12,595,000. The project is part of the objective to reduce the disposal of municipal waste (MW) in landfills. It consists of a mechanical and biological treatment unit, which will enable the recovery of recyclable packaging from municipal waste collected by local authorities, the recovery of organic matter and a reduction in landfill disposal. In the first phase, the unit will have a nominal treatment capacity of 120,000 tonnes/year of (unsorted) UR (with two UR treatment lines) and a biological treatment capacity of 60,000 tonnes/year, in order to meet European targets.

Algar acquired seven new vehicles, representing a total investment of EUR 1,228,500, 85% of which was co-financed by the Operational Programme for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources (POSEUR), Portugal 2020 and the European Union, through the Cohesion Fund. This acquisition has enabled Algar to increase its fleet capacity by 32%. As part of this activity, Algar has also been increasing the number of recycling bins. The investment began in 2018 with the installation of 781 new bins on public roads and continued in 2019 with the installation of more than 376 recycling bins. The Algarve now has more than 3,900 facilities (12,800 containers) available to the population for the disposal of recyclable packaging, ensuring a ratio of one recycling point for every 126 inhabitants.

The new cell C, included in the initial project, was built with the aim of expanding the capacity for depositing unsorted waste collected in the municipalities of the eastern Algarve. This investment is expected to provide a volume of 1 million m3 for waste disposal, which will allow an estimated capacity of 130,000 tonnes of waste received per year. The cell is expected to have a minimum useful life of 10 years, but this is likely to be longer, given the entry into operation of other infrastructure that will remove organic and recyclable material for recovery.

Algar becomes a partner in an innovative project for treating leachate with microalgae. It combines a chemical oxidation stage with a biological treatment system and a stage for refining the treated effluent using photobioreactors (algae). These photobioreactors are interesting in that they are ‘fed’ with CO2 produced by burning biogas in the motor generators at the landfill site.

Start of Biological Treatment and Energy Recovery from Biogas at the Organic Recovery Plant; Expansion of the Sotavento Sorting Reception Area; Construction of the new Cell A connection area at the Sotavento Landfill and Inauguration of the new Environmental Education Vehicle exhibition.

Start-up of the Mechanical Urban Waste Treatment Unit at the Barlavento Landfill and the photovoltaic park at the Faro/Loulé/Olhão Transfer Station for self-consumption; Inauguration of the roundabout located at the main entrance to Algar's headquarters, composed of different sculptural elements made from recyclable materials.

Commissioning of the Mechanical Urban Waste Treatment Unit at the Organic Recovery Plant; Construction of the Mechanical Urban Solid Waste Treatment Unit at the Barlavento Landfill

Signing of the cooperation agreement between Algar and ENTRAJUDA to promote the “Separar para Alimentar” (Separate to Feed) campaign in aid of the Algarve Food Bank, with the aim of encouraging the separation and delivery of plastic, metal and ECAL packaging to Algar, so that it can be sold to purchase food for children up to 3 years of age.

Construction of the cover for the Leachate Retention Pond at the Barlavento Landfill; Start-up of the São Brás de Alportel Green Composting Unit and Construction of the Energy Recovery System for Biogas produced at the Organic Recovery Plant.

Inauguration of Algar's new headquarters building, located at the Faro/Loulé/Olhão Transfer Station in Barros de São João da Venda, Almancil; Start of operations at the Sotavento Landfill Biogas Energy Recovery Unit; Start of operations at the Construction and Demolition Waste Recovery Unit and the Integrated Bulky Waste Treatment Centre, both located at the Barlavento Landfill; Sealing of Cell B and start-up of the biogas capture system at the Barlavento Landfill. Launch of the Eco Event project, aimed at the correct management of waste produced at events held in the Algarve region; Obtaining certification for the Occupational Health and Safety Management System, in accordance with OHSAS 18001:2007 and NP 4397:200 standards.

Start-up of the Barlavento Automatic Sorting System. Presentation of two new Algar products: “Nutriverde Premium” and “Nutriverde Decor”. Construction of Cell C of the Barlavento Landfill; Awarded the “2010 Water and Waste Service Quality” prize by the Water and Waste Services Regulatory Authority and Água & Ambiente newspaper.

Start-up of the Automatic Sorting System (Sotavento Sorting Unit); Launch of the pioneering project in the country, ‘Ambilinha,’ aimed at door-to-door collection of recyclable waste from businesses and services.

Certification of Algar's Integrated Quality and Environmental Management System, in accordance with NP EN ISO 9001 and NP EN ISO 14001, respectively; Conference “Encontro Algar 2008”

The “Nutriverde” brand was approved by the Directorate-General for Trade and began to be used to market Algar’s organic compost. The Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste Reception Centres at the Barlavento Landfill and the Faro/Loulé/Olhão Transfer Station began operating. Inauguration of the Environmental Education Vehicle.

In 2006, licences were obtained for the reception and treatment of waste electrical and electronic equipment and for the treatment of construction and demolition waste.

Start-up of the Biogas Energy Recovery Unit at the Barlavento Landfill.

In 2004, there was a favourable increase of 29% in selective collection compared to the previous year in terms of the quantities of recyclable waste collected.

Commencement of operations at the Albufeira Eco-Centre and Environmental Education Centre.

Commencement of operations at the Tavira and Portimão Green Waste Composting Unit, as well as the Quarteira Eco-Centre.

Commissioning of the Faro/Loulé/Olhão Transfer Station and Sotavento Sorting Unit.

Commissioning of the Sotavento Landfill and Portimão Eco-Centre.

Start of operations at the Barlavento Screening Unit.

Inauguration of facilities: Barlavento Landfill, Transfer Stations in Albufeira, Aljezur, Alcoutim, Lagos, Castro Marim, Tavira, Vila do Bispo and the Albufeira Ecocentre; Sealing of the Ludo Landfill and start of operations at the S. João da Venda Intermediate Pit. Closure of 22 existing open-air waste dumps. Start of selective waste collection.

Signing of the Addendum to the concession agreement and the delivery and receipt agreement between Algar and the municipalities of the eastern Algarve.

Signing of the concession agreement with the Portuguese State and the delivery and receipt agreements with the municipalities of the western Algarve.

Algar was established on 20 May 1995 by Decree-Law No. 109/95, which provides for the creation of a multi-municipal system for the development, design, construction and operation of a process for the selective collection, sorting and treatment of solid urban waste in the Algarve.