Smart Waste Portugal

What Smart Waste Portugal does

Smart Waste Portugal (Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Smart Waste Portugal, ASWP) is a Lisbon/Porto-based non-profit association founded in 2015 that operates a collaborative network uniting companies, public entities, and academia to accelerate the circular economy in Portugal. The association addresses fragmented circular economy activity by providing a convening platform for stakeholders to collaborate on industrial symbiosis, food waste reduction, ecodesign, resource valorization, and emerging regulatory obligations (CSRD, ESRS, Ecodesign, Digital Product Passport). Its 11 employees coordinate working groups, host events and site visits, deliver training programs, and convene national initiatives such as the 'Pact for the Circular Economy in the Centro Region' with CCDR Centro.

The association's core technology is the myWaste digital marketplace, which facilitates the identification of industrial symbiosis opportunities and enables companies to list, match, and circulate waste and by-products as resources. Supplementary offerings include the SmartNature training program (co-organized with Academia NBI, covering bioeconomy, biomimicry, and nature-based solutions), the Food Waste Working Group, and an information library plus podcast series. These offerings are supported by a multi-channel engagement strategy spanning website content, social media, newsletters, and in-person events.

Business model mechanics are anchored in recurring membership dues from companies, public entities, and academic institutions that join the network, supplemented by paid training program fees (EUR 480 for members/NBI clients, EUR 600 for general public, plus VAT). The association operates as a non-profit, with no parent company, no venture capital, and no public listing. Geographic reach is single-country (Portugal), with the Centro region being a focal public-sector coordination area. Customer segments are horizontally distributed across private companies, public entities, and academia, with no named anchor customers disclosed.

Name

Smart Waste Portugal

Legal name

Associação Smart Waste Portugal

Website

https://smartwasteportugal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smart Waste Portugal (Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Smart Waste Portugal) is a Portuguese non-profit association that runs a multi-stakeholder network and digital marketplace (myWaste) to connect companies, public entities, and academia on circular economy and industrial symbiosis initiatives across Portugal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Circular Economy Network Services

NAICS

Business Support Services (5614), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (924110), Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (56)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Certified Compliance & Reporting Services (R2/e-Stewards, Audit, ESG) (BPALAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Donor Coordination, Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Programs (BPADABAN)

Keywords

• Circular economy consulting
• Industrial symbiosis platform
• Waste valorization services
• Sustainability training programs
• Circular innovation network

Headquarters

HQ city

Porto, Porto

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Smart Waste Portugal operates as an association (Associação Smart Waste Portugal / ASWP) whose primary engagement model is membership. Companies, public entities, and academia join the network to participate in collaborative initiatives, funded projects, and shared knowledge activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Smart Waste Portugal (Associação Smart Waste Portugal / ASWP) is a non-profit collaborative network that unites companies, public entities, and academia to accelerate the circular economy in Portugal. It sells three main offerings: (1) the myWaste digital marketplace, which matches companies for industrial symbiosis and resource valorization; (2) fee-based training programs such as SmartNature on nature-based innovation strategies; and (3) collaborative membership services including thematic working groups, funded projects, technical site visits, and events. Revenue derives from recurring membership dues and paid training programs.

Product overview

Smart Waste Portugal (Associação Smart Waste Portugal - ASWP) is a collaborative network that unites companies, public entities, and academia to accelerate the circular economy in Portugal. The organization operates through several interconnected offerings: a digital platform called myWaste (a marketplace for waste valorization and industrial symbiosis opportunities), collaborative working groups (including Food Waste), funded projects focused on circular economy initiatives, training programs like SmartNature (nature-based innovation strategies), and various events and member visits to promote knowledge sharing and industrial collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• myWaste: A digital marketplace platform developed by Smart Waste Portugal that facilitates the valorization of waste and identification of industrial symbiosis opportunities between different entities.

Products and services

• myWaste Platform Digital marketplace platform developed by Smart Waste Portugal that facilitates the identification of industrial symbiosis opportunities and promotes the valorization and circulation of resources between companies in Portugal.
• SmartNature Training Program Nature-based innovation strategies training program (b-learning format) for industry, covering bioeconomy, biomimicry, and nature-based solutions aligned with CSRD, ESRS, and Nature Restoration Law obligations and carbon/nature market opportunities. Co-organized by Associação Smart Waste Portugal (ASWP) and Academia NBI.
• Membership Network Recurring membership offering for companies, public entities, and academia to join the Smart Waste Portugal network and access collaborative initiatives, funded projects, working groups, technical training, events, and site visits to member companies.
• Food Waste Working Group Thematic working group dedicated to food waste reduction and resource valorization, bringing together members for knowledge sharing and identifying partnership opportunities in the food value chain.

Quantifiable outcome

• Transforming waste and by-products into new raw materials through industrial symbiosis, reducing waste and creating economic, environmental, and social value.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered notable and core.

• ENTRAJUDAnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmart Waste Portugal has initiated a partnership with ENTRAJUDA to promote the 'Banco de Bens Doados' (Donated Goods Bank), an initiative that aims to give new life to goods and equipment by connecting donors with entities in need.
• CCDR Centro (Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Centro)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmart Waste Portugal and CCDR Centro co-promote the 'Pacto para a Economia Circular no Centro' (Pact for the Circular Economy in the Centro Region), a regional initiative that brings together stakeholders to advance circular economy practices in Central Portugal. They jointly organize events such as the 'Simbioses Industriais' forum.
• Academia NBInotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Associação Smart Waste Portugal (ASWP) and Academia NBI co-organize the 'SmartNature: Estratégias de Inovação de Base Natural para a Indústria' training program (b-learning format), aimed at equipping companies with tools to integrate bioeconomy, biomimicry, and nature-based solutions into their business models.
• myWaste Platform PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationThe myWaste digital marketplace, developed by Smart Waste Portugal, facilitates connections between companies for resource valorization and industrial symbiosis. Companies and entities across Portugal use the platform to identify collaboration opportunities and circulate resources.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Circle Economy: A Dutch non-profit that operates the Circularity Gap Reporting initiative and convenes companies, governments, and academia to accelerate circular economy adoption. Directly comparable to Smart Waste Portugal as a multi-stakeholder association driving circular-economy transitions in a single national/regional market.
• EuRIC (European Recycling Industries' Confederation): European confederation representing the recycling industry, coordinating industry positions, and convening member companies. Comparable to Smart Waste Portugal as a member-driven, multi-stakeholder association advancing circular-economy policy and practice.
• ACR+ (Association of Cities and Regions for Sustainable Resource Management): European network of public authorities and stakeholders promoting sustainable resource management and circular economy at regional level. Closely mirrors Smart Waste Portugal's CCDR Centro collaboration model and public-entity coordination role.
• RREUSE: European umbrella organization for social enterprises active in reuse, repair, and recycling. Comparable as a membership-based association convening operators, public bodies, and NGOs around circular-economy practice, similar to Smart Waste Portugal's Banco de Bens Doados work with ENTRAJUDA.

Others

• ZERO (Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável): Portuguese environmental NGO working on sustainability, climate, and circular economy topics. Comparable to Smart Waste Portugal as a Portuguese entity convening stakeholders and producing public-facing content around circular economy, though broader in environmental scope.
• Wuppertal Institute: German research institute focused on sustainability, resource efficiency, and circular economy, frequently engaging in applied research with industry and government. Comparable to Smart Waste Portugal's academic and applied research partnerships with Portuguese polytechnics.

Emerging players

• Metabolic: A circular-economy consultancy and venture builder that helps companies and governments implement circular strategies. Comparable to Smart Waste Portugal's advisory and training offerings, though operating more as a commercial consultancy than a membership association.
• Factor 10: Dutch consultancy specialized in circular-economy transition, supporting companies and governments on policy, strategy, and implementation. Relevant adjacent peer in the same training and advisory space as Smart Waste Portugal's SmartNature offering.

Broad incumbents

• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Global foundation focused on accelerating the transition to a circular economy through thought leadership, education, and corporate networks. A larger, more established peer operating in the same circular-economy-association space as Smart Waste Portugal.

Regional players

• Sociedade Ponto Verde: Portuguese licensed producer responsibility organization managing packaging recycling and waste valorization. A Portugal-based peer in the circular-economy ecosystem, but operating in a more transactional, compliance-driven model rather than a multi-stakeholder association.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@smartwasteportugal
• Facebookfacebook.com/smartwasteportugal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smart-waste-portugal
• Instagraminstagram.com/smartwasteportugal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Smart Waste Portugal