Humana Portugal

What Humana Portugal does

Humana Portugal (Associação Humana) is a Portuguese non-profit association founded in 1998 that operates an integrated textile collection, sorting, and secondhand retail business to fund environmental and international development programs. The organization collects used clothing through a network of 653 dark-green containers placed in public spaces — concentrated in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area via partnerships with municipalities and private entities — and operates 24 secondhand retail stores across Lisbon and Porto (13 and 6 respectively, plus additional locations, with 3 new spaces opened in 2025). Collected textiles are transported to its Alcochete headquarters/warehouse and partly routed to sister facilities (Humana España's 10,000+ m² Leganés sorting center; Humana Bulgaria) for professional, item-by-item manual sorting aligned with the EU Waste Hierarchy, achieving a 61% reuse rate.

The business model monetizes the sorted textile stream across three primary channels: domestic retail sales through Humana's own store network (~21% of volume), international wholesale export to textile reuse and recycling companies primarily in Africa (~40%), and sales to recycling companies for conversion into blankets, insulation, and automotive inputs (~33%). Additional revenue and tax-advantaged inflows come from the Programa Destocka corporate service, which leverages 130% deductibility under Art. 62 of the Portuguese Tax Benefits Statute. Pricing is transaction-based at the retail level with no subscription model. Net proceeds are reinvested into international development projects through ADPP Mozambique and ADPP Guinea-Bissau (education, health, agriculture, community development) and into local awareness and social-support programs in Portugal. The organization is a member of the Humana People to People Federation (30 non-profit associations across 46 countries), holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications (SGS, 2025), and was granted Portuguese Public Utility Status for a 10-year term from 28 March 2022. Operations are led by President Elisabeth Molnar, with National Promoter Sónia Almeida, Head of Communication & Circular Economy Andreia Barbosa, and Board member Henrique dos Santos Pereira.

Name

Humana Portugal

Legal name

Associação Humana

Website

https://humana-portugal.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Humana Portugal is a non-profit association that collects used textiles through 653 public containers and resells them via 24 secondhand stores, funding international development and local sustainability programs across Portugal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondhand Textile Retail and Reuse Services

NAICS

Waste Collection (56211), Materials Recovery Facilities (56292)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

Textile & Apparel Recycling and Sorting (Non-E-waste) (BPALADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Textile & Apparel Sorting/Recovery Facilities (EUAIADAJ), Donation, Resale & Textile Recycling Coordination (HSAFABAI)

Keywords

• Secondhand clothing retail
• Textile collection
• Circular economy services
• Textile reuse
• Development cooperation

Headquarters

HQ city

Alcochete

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Retail Sales of Second-hand Clothing: Humana operates 24 retail stores selling donated clothing directly to consumers. Approximately 21% of collected textiles are sold through their own store network. The revenue is reinvested in social programs and international development projects.
2. Wholesale International Textile Trade: Approximately 40% of collected textiles are exported to international markets outside Europe (primarily Africa), sold to companies specializing in textile reuse and recycling. Part is sent to Humana Spain and Humana Bulgaria sister organizations for processing.
3. Recycling Material Sales: Textiles that cannot be reused are sold to recycling companies. Approximately 33% of collected materials are directed to recyclers for conversion into products like blankets, insulation, or automotive industry materials.
4. Corporate Stock Management (Destocka Program): Program for companies to responsibly dispose of textile stocks. Provides fiscal benefits (up to 130% profit relative to donated value per Art. 62 of Portuguese Tax Benefits Statute) while supporting social projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Humana Portugal collects used textiles through a national network of green containers and in-store drop-offs, sorts them professionally under the EU Waste Hierarchy, and monetizes them through its own 24 secondhand retail stores, international wholesale export to Africa, and sales to recycling companies. The surplus funds international development cooperation projects in Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau and local community support programs in Portugal. It also offers the Programa Destocka for corporate textile stock disposal with associated tax benefits.

Product overview

Humana Portugal operates as a non-profit association (Associação Humana) focused on textile reuse and circular economy. The organization runs a network of 24 secondhand stores (19 in Lisbon and 5 in Porto) and manages a container collection network of 653 containers primarily in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Key offerings include the Programa Destocka for corporate textile stock management, and international development programs in Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau. The organization collects approximately 3,919 tonnes of used textiles annually, with a reuse rate of 61%.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Humana Secondhand Retail Stores Network of 24 retail stores across Lisbon (13) and Porto (6, plus additional locations) selling secondhand clothing, including family segment (home textiles and children's clothing) and vintage collections to general consumers. Approximately 2.8 million pieces are sold annually to over 1 million customers.
• Textile Collection Container Network Network of 653 dark green textile donation containers placed in public spaces across Portugal, concentrated in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, allowing citizens to donate used clothing, footwear, accessories, and home textiles for sorting and reuse. Operated in partnership with Portuguese municipalities and private entities.
• Programa Destocka (Corporate Stock Management) Corporate service enabling companies and organizations to responsibly dispose of surplus textile inventory while accessing tax benefits of up to 130% profit relative to donated value under Art. 62 of the Portuguese Tax Benefits Statute. Aligned with the European Textile Strategy and circular economy model, transforming excess stock into social resources for development cooperation.
• International Volunteering Program Volunteer placement program connecting, inspiring, and sharing experiences through international volunteer assignments with development projects coordinated through the Humana People to People Federation network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Collects 3,919 tonnes of textiles annually with 61% reuse rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• A Avó Veio TrabalharminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Partnership for seasonal collection 'Cheiro a Verão' combining secondhand pieces with original embroidery designs created by grandmothers.
• Dino Alves (Fashion Designer)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026Collaboration for UP - Upcycling Collection Dino Alves X Humana at ModaLisboa fashion week. Designer created high-fashion pieces from secondhand materials selected from Humana's Leganés sorting center.
• Humana People to People FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumana Portugal is a member of the Humana People to People Federation, a network of 30 non-profit associations across 46 countries. The Federation coordinates international development projects and textile management operations globally. In 2025, Federation projects reached 17.1 million people through 1,856 projects.
• ADPP MozambiquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumana Portugal collaborates with ADPP Mozambique on development projects funded by textile management revenue. Between 2015-2020, Humana Portugal contributed over 570,000 euros for teacher training, small farmer groups, and the Children's Citadel in Maputo. ADPP operates education, health, agriculture, and environment programs benefiting approximately 6.5 million Mozambicans.
• ADPP Guinea-BissaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumana Portugal supports development projects through ADPP Guinea-Bissau, operating international cooperation programs in the country focused on education, health, and community development.
• Humana España (Humana Fundación Pueblo para Pueblo)coreTechnology or IntegrationSister organization responsible for textile classification of clothes collected in Portugal. Operates a large sorting facility in Leganés, Madrid (10,000+ m2) processing 40 tonnes daily with 80 staff. Part of collected textiles are sent to their preparation centers for sorting following EU Waste Hierarchy.
• Calouste Gulbenkian FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of the 2024 Humana Circular Jornada event. Partnership for hosting sustainability discussions and circular economy debates with stakeholders.
• ZERO (Zero - Association for Sustainability)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental NGO partner for circular economy events and policy discussions. Co-organized events like the 'Economia Circular dos Têxteis' forum and participated in Humana Circular Jornada 2024.
• Lisboa E-NovaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLisbon sustainability agency participating in circular economy discussions and sharing best practices in textile reuse.
• Portuguese Municipalities (Various)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnerships with municipalities for placement of textile collection containers. 18 municipalities received Humana Circular Awards in 2024 for sustainable textile management. Includes Alcochete, Barreiro, Seixal, Almada, and various Lisbon parish councils.
• APEMETA, APESB, APOGER, ANIMARminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Portuguese sustainability and environmental associations: APEMETA (environment), APESB, APOGER, and ANIMAR (sustainability).
• United Nations (SDG Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegistered with UN SDG Partnerships, specifically as partner in Humana People to People Second Hand Clothing Collection and Trade initiative under the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• I:CO (I:Collect): Global textile collection and sorting operator working with retailers and charities. Comparable on the collection-sorting-reuse-recycling value chain and on serving as the operational back-end for charity and brand textile take-back schemes.
• Caritas Portugal: Portuguese nonprofit operating donation-based second-hand stores and social programs. Comparable on the nonprofit, donation-funded second-hand retail model and use of proceeds for social initiatives.
• Humana Fundación Pueblo para Pueblo (Humana España): Sister organization within the Humana People to People Federation. Operates the large Leganés (Madrid) sorting facility (10,000+ m2) that processes part of Humana Portugal's collected textiles. Most directly comparable on operating model, regulatory positioning, and value chain integration.
• Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa (Portuguese Red Cross): Runs second-hand stores and donation collection in Portugal with proceeds funding humanitarian programs. Comparable on nonprofit donation-reuse-retail model and social mission financing structure.
• Salvation Army Portugal: Operates donation-based second-hand retail in Portugal with a social mission parallel to Humana's. Comparable on nonprofit second-hand retail, donation intake, and reliance on volunteer and community-driven collection.
• Oxfam (Portugal operations): International nonprofit operating second-hand Worn Wear shops funded by textile donations. Comparable on donation-funded second-hand retail model and use of proceeds for development cooperation.
• Humana Bulgaria: Federation sister organization running preparation centers for textile sorting. Directly comparable as a Humana federation peer using the same collection-sorting-resale model in another European market.

Emerging players

• Beyond Retro: Curated vintage and second-hand fashion retailer with sourcing from textile collection streams. Comparable on the outlet side of the textile reuse value chain, particularly the curated second-hand retail positioning Humana is pursuing via collaborations.

Broad incumbents

• Refashion (France): French textile Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) organization. Comparable as a sector coordinator handling textile collection and recycling under EU-style regulation, but operates at national/EPR scale rather than as a single-country nonprofit collector.

Regional players

• Mary's Living & Giving (Save the Children): Save the Children's charity second-hand boutique network in the UK and select European markets. Comparable on curated second-hand retail model with high-end positioning and charitable mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PortugalHumana
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/humanaportugal
• Facebookfacebook.com/portugalhumana
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/humana-portugal
• Instagraminstagram.com/humana_secondhand_pt

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Humana Portugal