The European Week for Waste Reduction is pleased to welcome Electrão as a new member of its Steering Committee. With nearly two decades of experience and a leading role in Portugal’s waste management sector, Electrão brings valuable expertise, innovation, and commitment to advancing Europe’s transition toward a circular economy.

A multifaceted waste management leader

Founded in 2005, Electrão began its mission by managing used electrical and electronic equipment in Portugal, representing 60 pioneering member companies. Since then, the organisation has steadily broadened its scope and impact. In 2009, it expanded its activities to include used batteries, and in 2018, it took another decisive step by assuming responsibility for used packaging—making Electrão the first management entity in Portugal to operate simultaneously in three major recycling systems.

More recently, since 2024, Electrão has been involved in the management of single-use plastics at end of life, specifically tobacco-related products, through its participation in the ÚNICO association.

Partner to more than two thousand companies

Electrão serves as a trusted partner for over 2,000 national and international companies, which each year delegate the responsibility for managing the end-of-life of the products they place on the Portuguese market. Many of these companies are supported across multiple integrated recycling streams, highlighting Electrão’s capacity to deliver comprehensive and efficient waste management solutions.

Its services encompass the collection and treatment of waste, the development of reuse strategies, and the implementation of environmental awareness and research initiatives—all designed to foster more sustainable business practices and support the shift toward a circular economy.

A nationwide collection network

Electrão operates one of Portugal’s most extensive waste collection infrastructures, comprising more than 15,300 collection points located in shopping centres, retail stores, fire stations, schools, and other public and private facilities.

This network is backed by a streamlined upstream system of logistics operators, reception centres and treatment facilities. All partners are selected according to strict criteria of quality, environmental performance, and operational reliability, ensuring proper waste collection, segregation, and processing—particularly for complex waste streams such as electrical and electronic equipment.

In 2024 alone, Electrão directed more than 36,000 tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment waste for recycling in Portugal.

Driving innovation and circularity

Electrão stands out as an influential actor in Portugal’s waste sector. Its integrated approach—managing multiple waste streams and leveraging synergies between them—adds economic value and enables more efficient, coherent recycling systems.

By continuously promoting innovative processes and mobilising organisations, partners, and citizens, Electrão contributes significantly to advancing sustainability and accelerating the shift toward circular economic models.

A valuable addition to the EWWR community

With its extensive experience, broad operational scope, and long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility, Electrão strengthens the EWWR Steering Committee and enhances its collective capacity to foster waste reduction and resource efficiency across Europe.

We warmly welcome Electrão and look forward to the positive impact their participation will bring to the EWWR network.