On 29 October, a meeting was held at Valorsul’s premises, in Cadaval, a meeting was held with the municipalities of Peniche and Lourinhã, represented by their mayors, Filipe de Matos Sales and 𝗢𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗵𝗼, at which the three parties agreed on the need to build a new Valorsul Transfer Station and Eco-Centre. The aim is to strengthen the response capacity of the two municipalities through a local solution that will optimise waste routing and ensure more efficient and sustainable management. To this end, Valorsul is working, in coordination with the two municipalities, to make this project a reality, seeking to develop a solution that brings benefits to the region, its people and the environment.

Amarsul and Valorsul—leading waste management companies in the Lisbon region and across Portugal—are reinforcing their commitment to innovation and efficiency by launching the second edition of their open innovation program, "Open Innovation Amarsul|Valorsul 2026." This initiative connects these two EGF-affiliated companies with the academic world, start-ups, and industry players. The goal is to accelerate the development and implementation of cutting-edge projects and technologies capable of transforming operations, enhancing efficiency, and driving the evolution of the waste management sector in Portugal. To this end, more than 150,000 euros will be invested in the most innovative solutions. Through the "Open Innovation Amarsul|Valorsul 2026" program, national and international start-ups, academic institutions, and industry companies may apply across three categories: Challenge 1 – Connected Safety and Artificial Intelligence in Waste Management Operations; Challenge 2 – Modular Pre-treatment Systems for Mixed Municipal Waste; Challenge 3 – Industrial IoT for Predictive Maintenance.

The "Recycling Hotline" (*Linha da Reciclagem*) marks its fifth anniversary on October 27, having handled over 250,000 inquiries and issues. Established by the EGF Group and its 11 concessionaires, this free, nationwide public service aims to connect citizens with waste management and recycling systems. It provides answers to questions, collects suggestions and complaints, forwards these matters to the relevant entities, and tracks the subsequent responses. Requests for information were the most common type of interaction, accounting for over 100,000 entries, followed by complaints (over 75,000) and service requests (over 50,000). Between 2022 and 2025, the annual volume of contacts and issues rose from 34,635 to 59,532—a 72% increase that reflects both growing usage and the trust users place in the service. Common questions from users include how to dispose of specific types of packaging, how door-to-door selective waste collection works, and whom to contact when a recycling collection point (*ecoponto*) is damaged or malfunctioning. Schools, associations, and businesses can also reach out for information or to request environmental awareness materials.

We would like to inform you that Valorsul’s Energy Recovery Plant will undergo a scheduled shutdown between 2 October and 20 November to carry out scheduled maintenance work essential to the smooth operation and safety of the facility. In order to ensure the continuity of urban waste management and treatment services during this period, and in particular during October, alternative operational arrangements will be put in place. These may include the temporary diversion of waste to other Valorsul facilities, notably the Mato da Cruz Landfill. This is a temporary and planned situation, forming part of the standard operating procedures for periods when the plant is unavailable. Once the work has been completed, the facility will resume normal operations.

At Cidade do Rock, recycling also takes centre stage Valorsul returns to Rock in Rio in 2026 with an initiative that brings together music, urban art and recycling, as part of the “Together we make the impossible happen” campaign. This reinforces the commitment to sustainability at major events, in keeping with the spirit of the festival, showing that, when everyone gets involved, recycling can also be part of the show. In an atmosphere that celebrates sharing, creativity and the involvement of thousands of people, Valorsul invites festival-goers to join this collective effort, demonstrating that small individual choices can translate into positive impacts on the scale of the entire event.

The campaign kicked off on Saturday at Lourinhã Market, attended by António Gomes, a councillor on Lourinhã Municipal Council, and Armando Militão, Valorsul’s managing director. Valorsul has just launched the environmental awareness campaign “Mercado a Reciclar” in the municipality of Lourinhã, in partnership with the Town Council, with the aim of encouraging market traders and visitors to sort recyclable waste correctly within the market environment, thereby promoting its delivery for recycling.