Six Minho councils protest steep rise in household waste treatment costs

Six municipalities that own the waste company Resulima — Barcelos, Esposende, Arcos de Valdevez, Ponte da Barca, Ponte de Lima and Viana do Castelo — have objected to forecast increases in urban waste costs, calling them excessive. According to Barcelos, the treatment tariff per tonne is expected to rise in 2027 from €72.33 to €95.88, while the national waste management levy goes from €40 to €45. Combined, total cost per tonne would climb from €112.33 to €140.88. The councils, serving about 311,000 people, say the burden is already unsustainable for families and refuse to keep absorbing it. They insist they remain committed to environmental targets.