Resources, Cleaning and Waste Collection reinforcement during bathing season
About this good practice
During the summer season, thousands of tourists seek Almada beaches. Due to this seasonal increase, a reinforcement of the number of waste containers, waste collection frequencies and beach cleaning using heavy machinery are needed to prevent pollution and mantain people safety. This reinforcement happens from June 1st to September 30th and includes:
- 25 temporary workers
- 440 containers for unsorted waste
- 39 containers for glass waste
- 239 containers for plastic/metal waste
- Distribution of portable ashtrays to all beach concessionaires in a total of 16 000 units, and installation of ashtrays holders at Morena, Rei, Rainha e Mata beaches
- Daily cleaning of beach areas using specific heavy machinery attached to tractors, resulting in all beaches (all coastal area) cleaned at least 3 to 4 times a month, between June and September
- Waste collection circuit in beach areas, carried out by an external company (service provider), every night from June to September.
The main stakeholders and beneficiaries of this practice are municipal services, public, beach concessionaires and coastal and marine ecosystems.
Resources needed
- Waste collection vehicles (with crane) and team (1 driver, 2 operators) - 3-4 times/week
- Service provider – 1 vehicle, 3 workers – 7 days/week
- Beach cleaning team (3 workers) – 5 times/week
- 25 seasonal workers (6 months)
- 2 tractors + 2 beach cleaners + 2 operators (7 days/week)
Evidence of success
From June to September 2021:
- 164 ton/month (avg) of unsorted waste collected from beach and promenade
- 64 ton/month (avg) of unsorted waste from the 12 great capacity containers
- 395 ton/month (avg) of unsorted waste by the service provider
- A total of 37 000 bags (100 l each) of plastic and metal
In 2019 a total of 45 ton of plastic/metal, 15 ton of paper and 76 ton of glass were collected.
Potential for learning or transfer
We consider this a good practice for municipalities with a large and diverse coastal line such as Almada, characterized for a 13 km coastal line, with urban, peri-urban, and non-urban beaches (around 32).
Further information
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