Algar was established on 20 May 1995 with the aim of developing, designing, building and operating a system for the selective collection, sorting and treatment of solid urban waste in the Algarve. The system covers the 16 municipalities in the region (Albufeira, Alcoutim, Aljezur, Castro Marim, Faro, Lagoa, Lagos, Loulé, Monchique, Olhão, Portimão, São Brás de Alportel, Silves, Tavira, Vila do Bispo and Vila Real de Santo António), serving a population of around 481,000 inhabitants in a total area of 4,997 km2.

The company's activities include the treatment of urban waste; an integrated selective collection system that comprises the collection and sorting of materials for recycling; the use of biogas produced in landfills for energy; and the composting of green waste.

To carry out its activities, ALGAR operates the following infrastructure:

2 Landfills
3 Energy Recovery Plants
8 Transfer Stations
12 Eco-centres
3 Green Waste Composting Stations
1 Mechanical Treatment Plant
1 Mechanical and Biological Treatment Plant
2 Sorting Plants