The extended producer responsibility in waste streams – Portuguese approach

In Portugal, the implementation of the EPR principle, started with one management entity for generic packaging waste, namely Sociedade Ponto Verde. Presently there are nine management entities licensed for several waste streams such as batteries, electrical and electronic equipment, end-of-life vehicles, mineral oil, phytopharmaceuticals packaging, medicine packaging, and tyres. All these management entities are monitored by the Department for Waste Streams and Waste Stock Exchanges of the Portuguese Environment Agency with the aim that they comply with the provisions of their licenses. The available data of all management entities indicate that in 2008, Portugal recovered around 790 000 tonnes of waste through EPR application and the greatest contribution was the packaging waste.In Portugal is being considered the possibility for the creation of new waste streams such as diapers and cooking oil.