Packaging recycling grows just 1% in Portugal, industry body warns

Sociedade Ponto Verde says packaging recycling rose just 1% in the first half of 2026, with 233,065 tonnes collected via ecopontos, warning this pace will not meet the EU-mandated 65% target. Portugal already missed the goal in 2025, reaching only 60.5%. The organisation says the problem is not funding, which hit a record €237 million, but poor efficiency in municipal collection and sorting. Paper, aluminium and some plastics improved, but glass grew only 1%. SPV calls for smart sensors on bins, better door-to-door collection and pay-as-you-throw pricing models.