The Deposit and Refund System (DRS) has demonstrated its effectiveness as a powerful economic ins... more The Deposit and Refund System (DRS) has demonstrated its effectiveness as a powerful economic instrument to help to achieve the European targets for packaging waste recycling, whilst simultaneously ensuring the collection of higher-quality materials for the production of new beverage bottles. In Portugal, a pilot DRS project focusing on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage packaging was implemented by the government to gain insights and experience before the introduction of the mandatory system, which will include other materials. The pilot project involved 23 Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) in supermarkets across mainland Portugal, with a questionnaire assessing behaviour changes in users and non-users. Results from 1,490 responses indicated significant public support for the future DRS and its extension to other packaging materials. Various incentives were applied to the DRS to understand the effects throughout the pilot. The economic incentive proved key to the pilot's success, as it motivated consumers to participate, actively recycling. Consequently, it is expected that the DRS will increase recycling participation rates. Two other factors that contributed to the success of the DRS were the location of the RVM and the effectiveness of communication with the public, impacting their perception of and engagement with the system. The results provided important data for planning the future national strategy, which may also be of interest to other similar realities.
Countries that have a Deposit and Refund System (DRS) show high rates of selective beverage packa... more Countries that have a Deposit and Refund System (DRS) show high rates of selective beverage packaging waste collection, indicating that it is a powerful economic instrument for achieving the European packaging recycling targets. DRS ensure that collected material is of a sufficiently high quality to be incorporated into new products. In Portugal, the Government has decided to implement a DRS for non-reusable beverage packaging as a strategy to increase the packaging recycling rate, which is currently considerably lower than the mandatory European targets. To acquire knowledge and experience for the design and implementation of the future DRS, a pilot project was carried out with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage packaging, using 23 Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) installed at supermarkets across mainland Portugal. The authors monitored the DRS pilot project between March 2020 and December 2022. The main objectives were to determine operational indicators and evaluate the characteristics and quality of the PET deposited, using both the data recorded by the RVM and a characterisation of the packages contained in a sample of 46 bags. The results provided important data for planning the Portuguese strategy, which may also support operational or political decisions in countries in similar contexts. Whilst the recycling plants that received the material collected in these RVM confirmed that its quality allows for the production of PET food-grade flakes, this research identified a need to improve the design of packaging and to communicate this with producers, to better allow for the incorporation of recycled material into food beverage packaging.
Selective demolition (or deconstruction) is important for achieving efficient circular principles... more Selective demolition (or deconstruction) is important for achieving efficient circular principles in the construction sector, involving various stakeholders in the whole life cycle of buildings. Several studies have been conducted in recent years about it, but an assessment concerning the stakeholders involved was never undertaken to explore the criteria chosen here. This study aims to explore the practices of companies, but also the perception of individuals regarding this theme. A Portuguese case study was chosen, submitting an online structured questionnaire. As a result, 79 responses were received and an independent variable concerning profession was selected to divide the sample into three groups (architects, engineers, and other staff), to explore whether statistical differences between groups exist. Regarding the activity of companies, 22.8% have never conducted a selective demolition process, and the remaining respondents predominantly do so due to contract specifications. Also, 37.7% of respondents confirmed a need to subcontract, demonstrating dependence on cooperation. Assessing individual perceptions, architects have a more accurate understanding of the concept of selective demolition in the life cycle of buildings, and yet clearly state a greater need for information and awareness regarding the process than engineers and other staff. Architects also identified, most firmly, the need to promote the design of construction materials that better facilitate reuse and recycling. These results are relevant to decision making processes and for effective policy design, to form strategies that boost selective demolition, using a behavioural change approach, identifying a need to reinforce education and awareness, for instance about pre-demolition audits.
Integrated Waste Management-Volume I 508 (IRAR), for monitoring service quality of the wholesale ... more Integrated Waste Management-Volume I 508 (IRAR), for monitoring service quality of the wholesale segment of the waste service in Portugal. These performance indicators allow IRAR to develop a benchmarking analysis, on an annual basis, for the regulated waste ME. In the matter of leachate management and consequent proper environmental protection, performance indicators and other relevant context information may be a valuable tool. In this case, one of the activities of the MSW ME is subject to benchmarking analysis: treatment and management of leachates generated in MSW landfills, in contrast to the overall performance of the operators. In this chapter, a set of performance indicators (e.g. environmental, economical, operational, human resources, service quality, and opinion) for MSW landfills leachate treatment and management are defined and proposed. Considering the Portuguese case, a background on national MSW landfill and leachate management is given. The results obtained with the proposed performance indicators, as well as relevant context information, applied to Portuguese ME and leachate treatment facilities, will be presented in detail. Possible future directions in landfill operation and leachate treatment technologies to be applied will also be discussed.
Countries that have a Deposit and Refund System (DRS) show high rates of selective beverage packa... more Countries that have a Deposit and Refund System (DRS) show high rates of selective beverage packaging waste collection, indicating that it is a powerful economic instrument for achieving the European packaging recycling targets. DRS ensure that collected material is of a sufficiently high quality to be incorporated into new products. In Portugal, the Government has decided to implement a DRS for non-reusable beverage packaging as a strategy to increase the packaging recycling rate, which is currently considerably lower than the mandatory European targets. To acquire knowledge and experience for the design and implementation of the future DRS, a pilot project was carried out with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage packaging, using 23 Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) installed at supermarkets across mainland Portugal. The authors monitored the DRS pilot project between March 2020 and December 2022. The main objectives were to determine operational indicators and evaluate the characteristics and quality of the PET deposited, using both the data recorded by the RVM and a characterisation of the packages contained in a sample of 46 bags. The results provided important data for planning the Portuguese strategy, which may also support operational or political decisions in countries in similar contexts. Whilst the recycling plants that received the material collected in these RVM confirmed that its quality allows for the production of PET food-grade flakes, this research identified a need to improve the design of packaging and to communicate this with producers, to better allow for the incorporation of recycled material into food beverage packaging.
The Deposit and Refund System (DRS) has demonstrated its effectiveness as a powerful economic ins... more The Deposit and Refund System (DRS) has demonstrated its effectiveness as a powerful economic instrument to help to achieve the European targets for packaging waste recycling, whilst simultaneously ensuring the collection of higher-quality materials for the production of new beverage bottles. In Portugal, a pilot DRS project focusing on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage packaging was implemented by the government to gain insights and experience before the introduction of the mandatory system, which will include other materials. The pilot project involved 23 Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) in supermarkets across mainland Portugal, with a questionnaire assessing behaviour changes in users and non-users. Results from 1,490 responses indicated significant public support for the future DRS and its extension to other packaging materials. Various incentives were applied to the DRS to understand the effects throughout the pilot. The economic incentive proved key to the pilot's success, as it motivated consumers to participate, actively recycling. Consequently, it is expected that the DRS will increase recycling participation rates. Two other factors that contributed to the success of the DRS were the location of the RVM and the effectiveness of communication with the public, impacting their perception of and engagement with the system. The results provided important data for planning the future national strategy, which may also be of interest to other similar realities.
Licenciada em Engenharia do Ambiente e mestre em Engenharia Sanitária pela FCT/UNL. Obteve o grau... more Licenciada em Engenharia do Ambiente e mestre em Engenharia Sanitária pela FCT/UNL. Obteve o grau de doutoramento em Engenharia do Ambiente, especialidade Sistemas Sociais, na UNL. Exerce a actividade de docência e investigação em regime de exclusividade, desenvolvendo e colaborando em projectos relacionados com as temáticas de gestão de resíduos sólidos, psicologia social aplicada ao ambiente, planos municipais de ambiente e turismo ambiental. É membro dos Conselhos Nacionais de Acompanhamento dos Planos Estratégicos dos Resíduos Sólidos Urbanos, dos Resíduos Hospitalares, dos Resíduos Industriais e dos Resíduos Agrícolas. Integra a equipa do
The Deposit and Refund System (DRS) has demonstrated its effectiveness as a powerful economic ins... more The Deposit and Refund System (DRS) has demonstrated its effectiveness as a powerful economic instrument to help to achieve the European targets for packaging waste recycling, whilst simultaneously ensuring the collection of higher-quality materials for the production of new beverage bottles. In Portugal, a pilot DRS project focusing on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage packaging was implemented by the government to gain insights and experience before the introduction of the mandatory system, which will include other materials. The pilot project involved 23 Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) in supermarkets across mainland Portugal, with a questionnaire assessing behaviour changes in users and non-users. Results from 1,490 responses indicated significant public support for the future DRS and its extension to other packaging materials. Various incentives were applied to the DRS to understand the effects throughout the pilot. The economic incentive proved key to the pilot's success, as it motivated consumers to participate, actively recycling. Consequently, it is expected that the DRS will increase recycling participation rates. Two other factors that contributed to the success of the DRS were the location of the RVM and the effectiveness of communication with the public, impacting their perception of and engagement with the system. The results provided important data for planning the future national strategy, which may also be of interest to other similar realities.
Countries that have a Deposit and Refund System (DRS) show high rates of selective beverage packa... more Countries that have a Deposit and Refund System (DRS) show high rates of selective beverage packaging waste collection, indicating that it is a powerful economic instrument for achieving the European packaging recycling targets. DRS ensure that collected material is of a sufficiently high quality to be incorporated into new products. In Portugal, the Government has decided to implement a DRS for non-reusable beverage packaging as a strategy to increase the packaging recycling rate, which is currently considerably lower than the mandatory European targets. To acquire knowledge and experience for the design and implementation of the future DRS, a pilot project was carried out with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage packaging, using 23 Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) installed at supermarkets across mainland Portugal. The authors monitored the DRS pilot project between March 2020 and December 2022. The main objectives were to determine operational indicators and evaluate the characteristics and quality of the PET deposited, using both the data recorded by the RVM and a characterisation of the packages contained in a sample of 46 bags. The results provided important data for planning the Portuguese strategy, which may also support operational or political decisions in countries in similar contexts. Whilst the recycling plants that received the material collected in these RVM confirmed that its quality allows for the production of PET food-grade flakes, this research identified a need to improve the design of packaging and to communicate this with producers, to better allow for the incorporation of recycled material into food beverage packaging.
Selective demolition (or deconstruction) is important for achieving efficient circular principles... more Selective demolition (or deconstruction) is important for achieving efficient circular principles in the construction sector, involving various stakeholders in the whole life cycle of buildings. Several studies have been conducted in recent years about it, but an assessment concerning the stakeholders involved was never undertaken to explore the criteria chosen here. This study aims to explore the practices of companies, but also the perception of individuals regarding this theme. A Portuguese case study was chosen, submitting an online structured questionnaire. As a result, 79 responses were received and an independent variable concerning profession was selected to divide the sample into three groups (architects, engineers, and other staff), to explore whether statistical differences between groups exist. Regarding the activity of companies, 22.8% have never conducted a selective demolition process, and the remaining respondents predominantly do so due to contract specifications. Also, 37.7% of respondents confirmed a need to subcontract, demonstrating dependence on cooperation. Assessing individual perceptions, architects have a more accurate understanding of the concept of selective demolition in the life cycle of buildings, and yet clearly state a greater need for information and awareness regarding the process than engineers and other staff. Architects also identified, most firmly, the need to promote the design of construction materials that better facilitate reuse and recycling. These results are relevant to decision making processes and for effective policy design, to form strategies that boost selective demolition, using a behavioural change approach, identifying a need to reinforce education and awareness, for instance about pre-demolition audits.
Integrated Waste Management-Volume I 508 (IRAR), for monitoring service quality of the wholesale ... more Integrated Waste Management-Volume I 508 (IRAR), for monitoring service quality of the wholesale segment of the waste service in Portugal. These performance indicators allow IRAR to develop a benchmarking analysis, on an annual basis, for the regulated waste ME. In the matter of leachate management and consequent proper environmental protection, performance indicators and other relevant context information may be a valuable tool. In this case, one of the activities of the MSW ME is subject to benchmarking analysis: treatment and management of leachates generated in MSW landfills, in contrast to the overall performance of the operators. In this chapter, a set of performance indicators (e.g. environmental, economical, operational, human resources, service quality, and opinion) for MSW landfills leachate treatment and management are defined and proposed. Considering the Portuguese case, a background on national MSW landfill and leachate management is given. The results obtained with the proposed performance indicators, as well as relevant context information, applied to Portuguese ME and leachate treatment facilities, will be presented in detail. Possible future directions in landfill operation and leachate treatment technologies to be applied will also be discussed.
Countries that have a Deposit and Refund System (DRS) show high rates of selective beverage packa... more Countries that have a Deposit and Refund System (DRS) show high rates of selective beverage packaging waste collection, indicating that it is a powerful economic instrument for achieving the European packaging recycling targets. DRS ensure that collected material is of a sufficiently high quality to be incorporated into new products. In Portugal, the Government has decided to implement a DRS for non-reusable beverage packaging as a strategy to increase the packaging recycling rate, which is currently considerably lower than the mandatory European targets. To acquire knowledge and experience for the design and implementation of the future DRS, a pilot project was carried out with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage packaging, using 23 Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) installed at supermarkets across mainland Portugal. The authors monitored the DRS pilot project between March 2020 and December 2022. The main objectives were to determine operational indicators and evaluate the characteristics and quality of the PET deposited, using both the data recorded by the RVM and a characterisation of the packages contained in a sample of 46 bags. The results provided important data for planning the Portuguese strategy, which may also support operational or political decisions in countries in similar contexts. Whilst the recycling plants that received the material collected in these RVM confirmed that its quality allows for the production of PET food-grade flakes, this research identified a need to improve the design of packaging and to communicate this with producers, to better allow for the incorporation of recycled material into food beverage packaging.
The Deposit and Refund System (DRS) has demonstrated its effectiveness as a powerful economic ins... more The Deposit and Refund System (DRS) has demonstrated its effectiveness as a powerful economic instrument to help to achieve the European targets for packaging waste recycling, whilst simultaneously ensuring the collection of higher-quality materials for the production of new beverage bottles. In Portugal, a pilot DRS project focusing on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage packaging was implemented by the government to gain insights and experience before the introduction of the mandatory system, which will include other materials. The pilot project involved 23 Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) in supermarkets across mainland Portugal, with a questionnaire assessing behaviour changes in users and non-users. Results from 1,490 responses indicated significant public support for the future DRS and its extension to other packaging materials. Various incentives were applied to the DRS to understand the effects throughout the pilot. The economic incentive proved key to the pilot's success, as it motivated consumers to participate, actively recycling. Consequently, it is expected that the DRS will increase recycling participation rates. Two other factors that contributed to the success of the DRS were the location of the RVM and the effectiveness of communication with the public, impacting their perception of and engagement with the system. The results provided important data for planning the future national strategy, which may also be of interest to other similar realities.
Licenciada em Engenharia do Ambiente e mestre em Engenharia Sanitária pela FCT/UNL. Obteve o grau... more Licenciada em Engenharia do Ambiente e mestre em Engenharia Sanitária pela FCT/UNL. Obteve o grau de doutoramento em Engenharia do Ambiente, especialidade Sistemas Sociais, na UNL. Exerce a actividade de docência e investigação em regime de exclusividade, desenvolvendo e colaborando em projectos relacionados com as temáticas de gestão de resíduos sólidos, psicologia social aplicada ao ambiente, planos municipais de ambiente e turismo ambiental. É membro dos Conselhos Nacionais de Acompanhamento dos Planos Estratégicos dos Resíduos Sólidos Urbanos, dos Resíduos Hospitalares, dos Resíduos Industriais e dos Resíduos Agrícolas. Integra a equipa do
In 2008, Portuguese national legislation was created to regulate construction and demolition wast... more In 2008, Portuguese national legislation was created to regulate construction and demolition waste (CDW). The present work intends to show how CDW management has been conducted in Portugal since then. To do so, a case study at the North Interior Region of Portugal was selected to be analyzed. The work was conducted during 2012 and the methodology involved construct sector characterization and analysis of actual CDW management practices. A survey was conducted to municipalities and construction companies, and interviews were made to private waste operators. Other entities were also invited to collaborate. The main results highlighted problems related with the integration of the several stakeholders, dissemination of legal information and legislation issues. Concerning the stakeholders' integration, it was notorious that CDW could be used often to recover old quarries and mines at the region. In terms of legal information diffusion, small construction companies do not have technical support to answer to the regulation requirements. In relation to legislation issues, companies up to 10 workers are not obligated to participate at national registration system, making difficult to quantify CDW generated by such producers. At the end, a list of proposal to help stakeholders to implement legislation and legislation improvements are suggested. The Portuguese experience can be an example of the challenges to implement and control CDW management.
In: WASTES: Solutions, Treatments and Opportunities, 2nd International Conference, 11-13 Septembe... more In: WASTES: Solutions, Treatments and Opportunities, 2nd International Conference, 11-13 September, Braga, Portugal.
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Papers by Graça Martinho