Quercus opposes planned Algarve incinerator, urges alternatives

Environmental group Quercus has criticised the government's plan to build a €300 million waste incinerator in the Algarve, arguing it clashes with the PERSU 2030 national waste strategy. The association says the region produces about 400,000 tonnes of waste yearly, mostly landfilled, with capacity running out by 2027, but blames strong seasonal tourism swings rather than incineration needs. Quercus wants the Environment Minister to disclose studies behind the choice, an unpublished Ramboll report on alternatives, and details on what waste would actually be burned. It proposes reinforced sorting, door-to-door collection and composting instead, and plans a national White Paper on waste management.