ELECTRONIC

WASTE
MANAGEMENT IN
PORTUGAL
JOSHUA ALMEIDA
ANDRES POLO
JULY 2023
 ELECTRONIC WASTE
IN THE ERA OF CONSTANTLY
EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY,
PORTUGAL FACES A GROWING
ISSUE OF ELECTRONIC WASTE
MANAGEMENT. THIS
PRESENTATION EXPLORES THE
ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC
HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT ARISE
FROM INADEQUATE WASTE
MANAGEMENT AND PROPOSES
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.
INTRODUCTION
Portugal generated over 70,000 tons Statistic shows the recycling rate of
of electronic waste last year, and only electrical and electronic waste in
Portugal in 2016 the recycling rate
a small fraction of this waste was
dipped to 25 percent.
collected and treated.
 THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
OF ELECTRONIC WASTE

Mercury Lead Arsenic

Electronic devices contain toxic materials that contaminate ecosystems and pose a threat to biodiversity.
HEALTH AND
SAFETY RISKS
Exposure to toxic substances in
electronic waste can produce many
significant health risks, including
respiratory problems, neurological
disorders, and damage to the
reproductive system.
 THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE
MANAGEMENT
Proper and comprehensive electronic waste management practices
involve establishing collection systems, promoting responsible
recycling, and fostering shared responsibility among manufacturers,
consumers, and the government.

COLLECTION SYSTEMS RESPONSIBLE RECYCLING

EXTENDED PRODUCER
RESPONSIBILITY
COLLABORATION AND EDUCATION
ARE KEY
Each party can take steps to ensure that electronic waste is properly handled and
recycled.

Consumers

Manufacturers Government
CONCLUSION
PORTUGAL CAN LEARN FROM THE
SUCCESSES OF OTHER COUNTRIES
AND IMPLEMENT STRICTER
REGULATIONS, EXTENDED PRODUCER
RESPONSIBILITY, AND EFFECTIVE
EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS.
 REFERENCES
1. AGÊNCIA PORTUGUESA DO AMBIENTE. (2023). RESÍDUOS ELETRÓNICOS.
HTTPS://APAMBIENTE.PT/RESIDUOS/RESIDUOS-DE-EQUIPAMENTOS-ELETRICOS-E-
ELETRONICOS

2. UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY. (2021). GLOBAL E-WASTE MONITOR 2020.

HTTPS://EWASTEMONITOR.INFO/WP-
CONTENT/UPLOADS/2020/11/GEM_2020_DEF_JULY1_LOW.PDF

3. EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENT AGENCY. (2022). WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC

EQUIPMENT (WEEE).
HTTPS://ENVIRONMENT.EC.EUROPA.EU/TOPICS/WASTE-AND-RECYCLING/WASTE-ELECTRICAL-
AND-ELECTRONIC-EQUIPMENT-WEEE_EN