For 20 years, the end has only been the beginning 

The first electrical waste management entity in Portugal was created: Amb3E.

A decisive step towards a more responsible and sustainable management of used electrical equipment.

Electrão obtains the first official licence to manage an integrated system for used electrical equipment.

An achievement that marked the beginning of the implementation of a collection network and the treatment and recycling of waste

Launch of Ponto Electrão, a container for the collection of small electrical equipment, an innovative system that was the first of its kind in Europe.

The first units were installed in the car parks of CascaisShopping, Centro Colombo, GaiaShopping, NorteShopping and Vasco da Gama.

Launch of the “Escola Electrão” project, aimed at raising awareness and engaging teachers, students, staff, parents and the wider community in recycling efforts through the collection of used electrical equipment and batteries.

Under the motto “Caring for the environment is a compulsory subject!”, the participating schools, teachers and students may receive prizes in recognition of their contribution to environmental protection.

In 2009, Amb3E began installing the first Ponto Electrão units dedicated exclusively to lamps in large retail stores.

With this initiative, Amb3E promoted safe recycling and the proper routing of used lamps to treatment and recovery processes. This effort contributed to the recovery of materials and the reuse of potentially polluting substances, such as mercury, reducing their environmental impact.

Amb3E also became responsible for the management of used batteries and accumulators, expanding its commitment to recycling and sustainability, and broadening the range of services provided to its members.

The Quartel Electrão project was launched, with the objective of involving Volunteer Firefighters’ Humanitarian Associations in raising public awareness about recycling.

In addition to contributing to environmental protection, the firefighters who collect the most can receive prizes.

Amb3E, in partnership with the Oeiras City Council, inaugurated the first Outdoor Ponto Electrão in Europe.

Installed at Quinta das Palmeiras, this is a pilot project that made it possible to introduce underground containers for the disposal of electrical equipment, making it easier for the population to access the recycling of this type of waste.

Outdoor Ponto Electrão units were later installed in Vilamoura, Sintra, Albufeira and Cascais.

The POW Project – Give Power to Electrão encourages young people and schools to take part in a video challenge, acting as agents of behavioural change at an environmental level.

It was developed throughout the school year through digital platforms, with three distinct phases, each with its own theme and ambassador, drawing attention to the importance of the correct separation and recycling of electrical equipment and used batteries.

Amb3E was present, for the first time, at Rock in Rio Lisbon, bringing the recycling message to one of the largest music and entertainment events in the country.

In 2015, Amb3E began a strategic process of repositioning and renewing its identity, with the objective of bringing its environmental mission closer to citizens and strengthening communication about the importance of recycling Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Batteries and Accumulators.

It was in that year that the concept of the new brand was born: Electrão – The Amb3E Network.

The “Electrão” brand brings together and standardises the Association’s actions: Ponto Electrão; Quartel Electrão; Escola Electrão; Electrão Lâmpadas; Electrão Pilhas; Electrão Produtor; and Electrão Empresas.

Driven by the need to properly recycle used batteries, the Electrão Network, in partnership with Entrajuda, promoted a new campaign “Pilhas por Alimentos”, encouraging the delivery of this waste at the nearest Food Banks.

This action promotes greater awareness of the role we all have in building a more sustainable and responsible world, and calls for the participation of the entire civil society in an initiative that will simultaneously help collect more food for the institutions supported by the Food Banks.

Twelve years after the beginning of its activity, Amb3E took on the management of used packaging, becoming the only entity in Portugal to manage three waste streams and to provide its members with an integrated waste management service.

This milestone allowed the Association to strengthen its positioning as the partner of companies for the end-of-life management of their waste.

TransforMAR is an initiative by Lidl and Electrão that challenges holidaymakers to collect plastics in order to transform them into something new.

The project includes the installation of dedicated bins for the collection and recycling of plastic and metal on beaches, as well as the promotion of awareness activities about the importance of good environmental behaviour and the principles of the circular economy through the recovery, reuse, recycling and reduction of plastic and metal waste.

Amb3E renewed its image and introduced a new name, Electrão - Waste Management Association.

Alongside the new image and name, the association launched the Onde Reciclar platform, which indicates to consumers the nearest locations where they can dispose of various types of waste: from used electrical equipment, batteries and accumulators, to tyres, end-of-life vehicles, used lubricating oils and even umbrellas. A practical tool to make everyday recycling easier.

In 2020, Electrão began a research project, WEEE Follow, to understand the path of used electrical equipment after it is delivered to the municipal collection channel and to other locations within the Electrão network.

It was confirmed that 75% of the equipment is diverted to the parallel market.

Electrão launched a project, pioneering in Europe and in Portugal, for the free collection of large used household appliances directly from citizens’ homes.

The project started in July 2021, in Lisbon, with the slogan “Whether they are in the kitchen or in the garage, we take them to recycling.”

In 2022, Electrão promoted the campaign “Todos pelo IPO – Recycling is Good for Health and the Environment”, during which the collection of used batteries and electrical equipment was converted into support for IPO Lisboa in its mission of providing healthcare services.

The campaign had the participation of several companies and raised public awareness about delivering waste at Electrão Network Points.

Onde Doar was created, a platform that brings together companies and charities for a world without waste. It promotes the donation of electrical equipment, batteries, furniture, textiles and other products, mostly new but also used in good condition.

For companies, it is an opportunity to clear stock in a safe, supportive and sustainable way, with tax benefits. For institutions, it is a way to secure the resources they need.

In 2024, Electrão launched an innovative and free postal collection campaign for small electrical equipment, testing a new proximity option for citizens to dispose of their waste.

To use this service, citizens only had to place small electrical equipment, broken or no longer in use, inside a closed box roughly the size of a shoebox and deliver it at the nearest DHL point, such as stationery shops or local neighbourhood stores.

For 20 years, nothing is lost, everything is transformed. Electrão celebrates two decades of environmental mission, with 927,432 tonnes of waste collected and recycled, thousands of awareness actions, and a national partner network that grows every day.