Braga, Portugal
Braga is committed to a culture of circularity, actively promoting waste reduction and the reuse of resources. Through a collaborative approach involving citizens, schools, and businesses, the city runs educational campaigns and community-driven initiatives that support a more sustainable way of living.
Cuidar Braga
Since 2020, green waste from agriculture and forestry has been shredded and used as mulch in public gardens, enhancing soil health, preserving moisture, and eliminating the need for burning. Over five years, this effort has produced 358 tonnes of wood chips and significantly reduced CO₂ emissions.
Community Composting
Braga provides composters and bins to separately collect biowaste to households and schools to encourage organic waste management at the source. Much of the organic waste is processed by Braval, which produces Ferti+ compost and collects used cooking oil to convert into biodiesel, fueling municipal vehicles and closing the waste loop.
Awarness Compaigns and Equipment
Since 2014, Braga has hosted workshops and activities during Circular Week and the European Week for Waste Reduction. These events address key topics such as sustainable construction, food waste prevention, composting, reducing single-use plastics, paper recycling, and upcycling used cooking oil. In 2024, for example, the campaign ‘Embrulhe, Pf’ (Wrap It, Please)' provided 30 restaurants with containers for customers to bring home the leftovers.
Eco-Schools & Textile Circularity
In 2024, Eco-Schools started collecting discarded clothes to collaborate with 'To Be Green', a platform on circular textiles that prioritizes reuse and sharing, upcycling, and recycling. In one year, five schools collected 1069 kg of clothes. Clothes that are considered in a condition to still be used are given to social entities.
Bank of Goods and Equipment
Launched in 2022, this platform helps redistribute items no longer needed, reducing waste while supporting individuals and families in social and economic vulnerability.