Circularity, Municipal Waste (EN)

Dynamic article automatically updates when a new year is available

Introduction

What is circularity? It is designing systems to avoid waste, extend useful lives and close cycles. In municipal waste the compass metric is the recycling rate, but the result depends on capture (collection), quality (contamination) and destination (landfill diversion).

Our Mission. To promote a real circular economy in Portugal, simplifying the reuse of surplus and waste with technology, open data and clear metrics. We connect companies, public entities and citizens so that reuse is simple, transparent and measurable.

Our Vision. To be the reference platform for sustainable resource management, driving the transition to a regenerative and collaborative economic model — where every material counts and every contribution creates proven positive impact for society and the planet.

How P7CO® EcoResupply fits in. We work with data from official sources and provide a public API feeding dashboards, alerts and contracts with KPIs in pp/year. Whenever the data signals a deviation (e.g. increase in contamination), we trigger operational playbooks — adjusting collection, communication and awareness. It is not just measuring: it is intervening and proving results.

Why does circularity matter?

It is not just about meeting targets. Circularity means reducing dependency on raw materials, cutting costs, lowering emissions and creating local jobs — while at the same time improving public service and reputation. In municipal waste, the compass is the recycling rate. Latest value: — (—), — vs. previous year (— pp).

  • Environmental: less landfill and methane, lower carbon footprint, water and energy savings in production.
  • Economic: lower gate fees and transport, material value recovery, reduced exposure to volatile prices.
  • Social & territory: local employment, urban cleanliness, public health and citizen trust.
  • Governance & risk: continuous compliance, access to funding/ESG, readiness for reporting (e.g. CSRD).
  • Innovation & data: digitalised collection, transparency via API and near-real-time decisions.

Metrics to act, not just measure

Circularity requires more than looking at the overall rate. We monitor Δ in pp/year, contamination, capture by fraction (glass, paper, packaging, biowaste), landfill diversion and rejects whenever data is available. The focus is to reduce the gap every year, with consistent progress and quick interventions.

Definitions (pp = percentage points)
\[ \begin{aligned} \Delta_{\mathrm{pp}}(t) &= \mathrm{Taxa}(t) - \mathrm{Taxa}(t-1) \\ \mathrm{Gap}(M) &= M - \mathrm{Taxa}(T_{0}) \\ \mathrm{Pace}(M) &= \frac{\mathrm{Gap}(M)}{\max\!\left(1,\,T_{M}-T_{0}\right)} \quad [\mathrm{pp/ano}] \end{aligned} \]

Official data (dados.gov.pt, CC BY 4.0) obtained via /eco/api/circularity/ru/history.

Snapshot — where we stand and how far to go

Dynamic values from the official series.

Latest value——
Δ vs. previous year—variation in pp
Gap → 2025 (55%)——
Gap → 2030 (60%)——
Slope → 2025—minimum pp/year
Slope → 2030—minimum pp/year
Historical trend—pp/year
Average volatility—mean |Δ| (pp/year)

Evolution and targets — how to read, impact and what to do

How to read: the green curve is the real rate (%); dotted lines are the targets (55/60); the dashed line is the minimum slope (pp/year) from the last actual year.

Impact: below the slope the gap persists/increases; on it, compliance is tight; above it you gain margin.

  • Act now: door-to-door/proximity biowaste; reinforcement of multimaterial (glass/paper/packaging); reduce contamination; divert landfill to organic/material recovery.

Evolution and targets

Actual curve (%), targets (55/60) and minimum slope (pp/year).

Average trend: $$\text{Slope}=\frac{\text{Taxa}(T_0)-\text{Taxa}(T_{ini})}{T_0-T_{ini}}\;\;[\text{pp/ano}]$$

Annual variation (Δ in pp) — how to read, impact and what to do

How to read: green bars = increase; red = decrease; grey = Δ not calculated (year gaps).

Impact: sequence of positive, stable Δ shortens the gap; “sawtooth” (up-down) wastes effort.

  • Do: operational targets in pp/year per municipality/system; contracts with KPIs on diversion/contamination; smart collection + education focused on quality.

Annual variation (percentage points)

Δ(t)=Rate(t)−Rate(t−1). —

$$\Delta_{pp}(t)=\text{Taxa}(t)-\text{Taxa}(t-1)$$

Historical series

Interval: —–—, — observations. Δ is not calculated when year gaps exist.

Year Rate Δ vs previous year
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Conclusion

Dynamic diagnosis

—

Quick actions (0–90 days)

  • Scale up biowaste door-to-door/proximity with weekly capture monitoring.
  • Refine multimaterial routes (glass/paper/packaging) with telemetry where useful.
  • Quality in sorting: contamination audits + immediate feedback to citizens.
  • Hyper-local campaigns in areas with highest contamination (heat map).

Structural (12–24 months)

  • Contracts with KPI in pp/year and penalties for contamination/delays.
  • PAYT/incentives with social safeguards, to buy slope.
  • Landfill diversion to organic/material recovery with quarterly targets.
  • Circular public procurement (recycled/reused content) to pull demand.

How P7CO® EcoResupply operationalises

  • Data → Action: when Δ drops or contamination rises, we trigger playbooks (routes, messaging, enforcement).
  • Smart contracts: dashboards with pp/year per system/municipality; gap alerts; evidence for audit.
  • Public API: reuse by partners and transparency (same licence as the source).

Recommended KPIs

  • Minimum slope → 2025: — pp/year
  • Minimum slope → 2030: — pp/year
  • Suggested operational target: — pp/year (≥ slope + 20%)

Source: Public API · dados.gov.pt (CC BY 4.0).