Recycling of packaging waste from households, small businesses and HORECA increased 3% in the first half of the year. Plastic was the material that grew most.

The recycling of packaging waste rose in the first six months of 2013. From January to June, with the help of the Portuguese public, Sociedade Ponto Verde sent 168,313 tonnes of household packaging waste for recycling. This represents 3% growth in waste mostly from selective collection, such as recycling drop-off containers and door-to-door systems.

"This result shows that, in spite of the current economic situation, the public is increasingly aware of the importance of separating their packaging waste for recycling," said Luís Veiga Martins, Managing Director of Sociedade Ponto Verde.

In packaging waste from households, small businesses and HORECA, the amount of plastic sent for recycling was the one that grew most (22%), followed by metal (20.7%).

"We believe that, even in these difficult times, more and more people will continue to separate their waste and help us stay on the road to success with the commitment of all partners in the Integrated System for the Management of Packaging Waste. The recycling of packaging provides 2,300 jobs and returns 70 million euros to the economy every year. Recycling is a civic act of great importance to the environment and a gesture that creates jobs and value for the economy," he added.

Quantities of household packaging waste sent for recycling:

Where the trade and industry flow was concerned, 153,570 tonnes of packaging waste were sent for recycling in the first six months of 2013, 47% more than in the same period in 2012.

In both trade and industry and household flows, Sociedade Ponto Verde sent more than 321,000 tonnes of packaging waste for recycling, an increase of over 20%.