Algarve news and information portal - AlgarveMais

Algar, the company responsible for recycling the Algarve region’s waste, last year produced almost 25,000 tonnes of recyclable material. Data shows that in 2010 Algar sent off 24,883 tonnes of waste material to be transformed into new products, an average of 78 tons per day.The company has said its record amount of recyclable waste is largely due to the active participation of the population, which is becoming more and more aware of the importance of properly separating waste.

Nuno Aires, President of the Algarve Tourism Board (RTA) announced during the International Lisbon-based tourism fair held at the FIL exhibition centre last weekend that the region made €546 million in revenue last year. The Algarve was the region that produced the most revenue in Portugal, a total of €546 million, and the Algarve also received the greatest amount of Portuguese tourists ever, with 3.8 million overnight stays recorded, 4.7% more than in 2009,” said Nuno Aires.

Portugal’s oldest street carnival will be in full swing on 6, 7 and 8 March along central Loulé’s Avenida José da Costa Mealha with the theme ‘E Nós Por Cá’, a satirical look at Portuguese society, politics and the problems the country is currently facing.From 3pm each day, Loulé’s central avenue will be transformed with a parade of 14 floats, decorated with puppets of national politicians including former sea minister and popular party leader Paulo Portas and Prime Minister José Socrates.

For one month a year the Algarve is alive with the colours, sounds and life of the street Carnival. The Algarve Spring Carnival is a magical time of the year, as the streets of Loulé are flooded with costumes, Among the many highlights of this colorful festival is the Battle of the Flowers, and the parade including brightly-costumed dancers, decorated floats and paper-maché models. Besides the themed floats and cars, the Carnival festivities include “samba” groups, bands, dances and music. There is a real party atmosphere and it is one of the largest and most popular Carnival events in Portugal.