The population in Madeira produced 384.5 thousand tonnes of waste in 2025, representing a decrease of 2.3 thousand tonnes compared with the previous year, according to today the Regional Directorate for Environment and Sea (DRAM).
According to data provided by DRAM, “this reduction was mainly due to a 24.3% drop observed in construction and demolition waste valorized in the Region, compared with 2024.”
It also notes that, removing the component associated with the deposition of inert materials resulting from construction and demolition activities, “the global production of waste would have stood at 205.3 thousand tonnes, 1.2% above the value of 2024.”
DRAM mentions that a large portion of the global waste production was directed to the Meia Serra Treatment Station, totaling around 150.4 thousand tonnes in 2025, representing a 3.9% increase compared to the previous year.
“This rise was driven by a 4.3% increase in energy valorization (waste incineration),” is stated in the same information.
With regard to waste destined for recycling/valorization outside Madeira, they amounted to 38.1 thousand tonnes, corresponding to a 2.0% increase from the previous year. In this regard, increases were highlighted in used cooking oils (+11.0%), in scrap/metals (+6.6%), in cardboard/paper (+6.2%), and in waste from electrical and electronic equipment (+4.1%).
Conversely, there were reductions in tires (-24.3%) and in plastic waste and metallic packaging (-16.2%), adds.
Considering the composting carried out at the Meia Serra Station, the waste valorization carried out in Madeira totalled 23.8 thousand tonnes (down 13.7% from 2024), highlighting, above all, the valorization of construction and demolition waste, which accounted for 61.2% of the total valorized waste, explains.
