The Autonomous Region of Madeira continues to face significant environmental challenges in urban waste management, with source separation remaining a weak point. Official data from 2023 reveals that the majority of waste produced on the island was collected undifferentiated, while selective collection maintained a reduced share.
The selective collection rate was 12.5% in 2023, and preparation for reuse and recycling reached 23.8%. This indicates that only a limited fraction of the total urban waste, approximately 124,229 tonnes for the year, was directed towards material recovery streams such as glass, paper, cardboard, plastic and metal packaging, or biowaste.
The separation of biowaste is particularly crucial given Madeira's territorial limitations and the pressure on its treatment infrastructure. Despite national progress, selective collection of this fraction remains below its potential, with incorrect separation increasing treatment costs and the amount of rejected materials at sorting centers.
