The task force is led by Environment and Sustainability Department. It includes a multidisciplinary team comprising members from several institutions and civil societies:

• Landscape Laboratory;
• Centre for Waste Valorisation;
• Innovation in Polymer Engineering Centre;
• VITRUS;
• RESINORTE;
• Private sector;
• Municipal Economics and Energy division;
• Members from local and National ENGO;
• Schools;
• REFOOD association;
• Green Brigades (groups of volunteers that have a year-base action plan to implement field-actions towards environmental sustainability);
• Local administration units known by parishes.

Urban rural predominance

Intermediate

Vision and objectives

The pilot set out to make waste management more sustainable by gradually introducing separate biowaste collection and turning organic waste into useful resources, while also preventing food waste and raising public awareness. The original objectives included expanding separate biowaste collection at the source, strengthening food waste prevention, reducing the amount of mixed waste going to landfill, and improving cooperation between local stakeholders through a shared governance approach. A clear scale-up ambition was set: reach 48% population coverage by the end of 2024 (achieved), move towards 60% by 2026, and reach full coverage by 2028. Alongside collection, the plan included exploring and identifying suitable ways to make better use of biowaste (for example through composting, fertiliser production and energy recovery), and strengthening engagement with key groups such as households, schools and the hospitality sector.

Implementation journey

Implementation followed a structured, phased roll-out, expanding separate collection across households, hospitality venues, schools, hospitals and public spaces. A mix of approaches was used, including door-to-door collection for many areas and additional street containers in dense urban zones, with adjustments to reflect different local area types and collection needs. Practical delivery was supported by actions such as distributing containers to hospitality venues and households in selected parishes, running communication campaigns about collection schedules, and trialling targeted feedback to improve correct separation where indicators were weak.

Alongside collection expansion, the pilot broadened activity on composting and public engagement. Community composters were purchased and placed, home and community composting promotion was reinforced with training and awareness activities, and education and engagement programmes were delivered with citizens and schools. Work also progressed on better understanding agricultural waste flows and on building the evidence base for future “useful outputs” from biowaste, including mapping exercises and studies supported through external expert support.

The journey also surfaced challenges that shaped how implementation was managed. The pilot faced differences in habits and waste generation across area types, complexity in optimising collection routes in a mixed urban–rural territory, and the need for sustained citizen engagement. In response, it relied on recurring communication via multiple channels, tailored collection strategies suited to local conditions, and structured dialogue with parish councils (including annual meetings) to maintain alignment and resolve operational issues.

Key results

The pilot achieved major progress in expanding separate biowaste collection, reaching 40% of the population by 2023 and 48% by 2024, and staying on track towards 60% by 2026 and full coverage by 2028. The separate collection rate (biowaste collected compared to total biowaste produced) reached 35% in 2024. The reduction in landfill use translated into measurable cost savings, including €163,804.90 saved in landfill tariffs by August 2025 for that year. Over a longer period referenced in the project materials, 19,489 tonnes of biowaste were reported as diverted from landfill and converted into compost, and €568,404.90 in landfill tariff costs were reported as avoided.

Public participation and awareness activity also scaled up. Between 2022 and 2024, 728 awareness actions and campaigns were carried out with 1,416 participants, 41 schools took part in environmental education projects, and 1,838 children were reached through pedagogical activities. A food waste prevention scheme with reusable takeaway containers was reported with 19 restaurants participating and 11,000 containers delivered. Policy-related measures referenced in the materials include the integration of incentive approaches over the same period.

Deliverables and outputs

The pilot produced concrete operational and engagement outputs that enabled delivery and scale-up. These included containers and collection infrastructure (covering both proximity points and door-to-door use), composters for households, community composting equipment, and new or reinforced collection capacity through vehicles. It also produced communication and education materials and activities, including campaigns delivered through multiple channels and targeted information for households to improve correct separation. Digital outputs were also referenced, including a platform developed to connect local producers and consumers and support farm-to-fork consumption. In terms of learning and planning, outputs included mapping and analysis work on agricultural and livestock waste flows and identification of possible future pathways for making better use of these streams.

Vision for the future

Looking ahead, the pilot’s long-term direction is to complete full separate biowaste collection coverage by 2028, continue improving performance, and further reduce landfill use, with an ambition to reach a much lower landfill rate by 2030. The future focus is also on moving from collection to stronger local “use of biowaste” options, especially by developing and selecting practical pathways (such as community-scale composting hubs, circular fertiliser approaches, and other options explored), supported by stronger stakeholder collaboration and clearer project planning. Proposed next steps include setting up a multi-actor working group, carrying out feasibility assessments for selected options, and strengthening stable funding beyond 2027 to support continued progress. The wider aim is to build on an approach described as phased, data-informed and participatory, and to use the experience to support replication in other territories, starting with potential replication at national level

Link to existing circular economy strategy and/or action plan

The city has a standalone Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP): RRRCICLO – Circular Economy at Guimarães.

Leading organisation

City of Guimarães

Unit/department/section

Environmental and Sustainable Department

Participation in other relevant initiatives

• NetZeroCities (Pilot and mission city)
• Green City Accord
• Zero Waste City Certification Candidate by Mission Zero Academy
• European Circular Cities Declaration
• HOOP Lighthouse

(Other) Key Resources

• PAPERSU 2030
• Guimarães Climatic Pact
• RRRCiclo programme