As part of the campaign on Reuse and Repair conducted through the Liga-Ação Platform, a document of political recommendations was presented to the Minister for the Environment and Climate Action, the Portuguese Environment Association (APA) as well as the Environment and Energy Committee, the Economy, Public Works, Planning and Housing Committee and the Public Administration, Spatial Planning and Local Government Committee of the Portuguese Parliament. This document aims to put reuse and repair at the top of the political agenda (particularly the new Action Plan for the Circular Economy, which is under review) and bring a systemic change.

The campaign on reuse and repair began with the publication of a manifesto in February this year. A working group composed of various organizations, initiatives and experts, collaborating through the digital platform Liga-Ação Rumo ao Desperdício Zero, coordinated by Circular Economy Portugal and Zero Waste Lab, developed a policy paper with 21 concrete legislative measures to encourage and strengthen reuse and repair in Portugal. The measures are distributed over 6 priority action areas, ranging from the definition of objectives to economic incentives, incentives for circular design, support for the reuse sector, the involvement of municipalities and also consumer awareness.

"The reuse and repair of products are the foundations of a circular economy, which brings various environmental and socio-economic benefits to society. Not only less greenhouse gases, but also cost savings for consumers. Above all, there is great potential for new business opportunities and the creation of green jobs" argues the spokesperson for Liga-Ação's Reuse and Repair Working Group, Lindsey Wuisan (Circular Economy Portugal).


We call on policymakers to incorporate the recommendations into the new Action Plan for the Circular Economy in Portugal, which is currently under review, and on all economic agents to move towards the transition to a circular economy.

Check out the policy paper "Towards the Reuse and Repair Revolution: Policy recommendations for the circular transition" here (in portuguese)! 

Signatories:
Alexandra Arnóbio
Circular Economy Portugal
Circular Wear
CREW LIPOR 
DECO
Dona Ajuda
E-Cycle
Emaús
FindUse
Humana 
Let´s Swap
Lixo Zero Portugal 
Maria Granel
Novonovo
O2W
Re:Costura 
ReCloset 
REMAR
Repair Café Lisboa
Reutilizar a mente
Rodrigo Borralho Design
ZERO
Zero Waste Lab 
Zero Waste Youth

The digital platform Liga Ação - Towards Zero Waste is a project financed by EAA GRANTS, with funds managed by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Bissaya-Barreto Foundation, promoted by Zero Waste Lab, in consortium with Circular Economy Portugal, Maria Granel and Friend of the Earth Norway. The platform made it possible to centralize and systematize the actions of the working group on "Reuse and Repair", making this document a reality with the aim of strengthening civil society's influence on political decision-making.