Diverde Society creates national system for managing domestic self-care health waste

Diverde Society was formally constituted today, to be a managing entity for domestic self-care health waste, specifically sharp waste, such as syringes, needles, and lancets.

Until now, the lack of a managing entity focused on this type of waste in Portugal posed operational challenges and safety risks. Many of these materials were placed in common trash or incorrectly deposited in VALORMED containers, which are intended only for packaging and expired medicines, thus increasing the potential for accidents in pharmacies and sorting centers.

Community pharmacies will integrate this system as collection points for this waste, playing an essential role in the process, both in advising users on the safe use of devices and products, and in raising awareness about the importance of responsible waste disposal.

The creation of Diverde represents an important step in safeguarding Public Health and the environment, establishing a national system for the safe collection and treatment of this waste, aligned with international best practices and the principles of environmental sustainability.

The formal constitution of Diverde is the first step of a structuring journey, which will be followed by the licensing process and all the necessary stages for the system to become operational nationwide next year.