Portugal's free recycling helpline passes 250,000 contacts in five years, with annual volume up 72%

The Linha da Reciclagem, a free service run by waste group EGF and its 11 concessionaires, has logged more than 250,000 contacts since it launched five years ago. Annual volume rose 72% between 2022 and 2025, from 34,635 to 59,532. Requests for information were the largest category, at over 100,000, followed by complaints at more than 75,000 and service requests above 50,000. Callers mostly ask how to sort packaging, how door-to-door collection works, or report problems with recycling bins. EGF says the complaints help it identify faults and track their resolution.