Olive mill waste: obligations, deadlines and valorisation
What the northern Portuguese olive oil sector needs to know before the next annual waste return
Why olive mill waste management matters
A good olive oil begins in the grove — but does not end at the bottle.
Every campaign leaves at the mill what is not oil: pomace, water, leaves and branches.
How this material is handled and reported to the authorities says a great deal about the maturity of the sector and about the authenticity that Azeite a Norte stands for.
The Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro region produces thousands of tonnes of by-products every year, and the correct handling — together with the annual return filed to the Portuguese Environment Agency — is the first step in turning what today is a cost into an opportunity: for the producer, for the territory, and for the credibility of northern Portuguese olive oil.
What counts as waste and what counts as by-product
The General Waste Management Regime, established by Decree-Law 102-D/2020, clearly distinguishes what the law considers waste from what may be classified as a valuable by-product. In mill operations, three streams deserve attention.
Olive pomace
Solid mass from oil extraction. It may be classified as a valuable by-product when directed to pomace-oil facilities or to energy, chemical or agronomic valorisation. It usually corresponds to LER code 02 03 04.
Olive mill wastewater
Aqueous effluent from processing, with high organic load. It is subject to a specific management regime, with options ranging from treatment at a wastewater plant to controlled land spreading. It usually corresponds to LER code 02 03 05.
Leaves and branches
Plant material from pre-processing cleaning. Usually valorised as organic matter in the grove itself or in neighbouring farms.
Annual Window
Annual waste information is submitted to the APA between January and March of each year, referring to the previous calendar year. The deadline is set by the Agency for each campaign.
How to submit the annual return, step by step
The annual waste return is filed on the SILiAmb platform — the Integrated Environmental Licensing System, managed by the Portuguese Environment Agency. The process has five steps.
1. Register the operator on SILiAmb
If the mill is not yet registered, first access is on the APA portal. Registration is free and covers all environmental obligations of the establishment.
2. Access the MIRR module
The Integrated Waste Register Map (Mapa Integrado de Registo de Resíduos) is the SILiAmb module where the annual return is filed. It is available to registered operators during the campaign window.
3. Identify each stream by its LER code
Each waste is identified by its European Waste Catalogue (LER) code. For the olive oil sector, the most frequent codes are 02 03 04 (olive pomace) and 02 03 05 (olive mill wastewater). Other streams apply depending on the specific activity of the establishment.
4. Declare quantities and destination
For each stream, declare the volume produced in the previous calendar year, the route of handling and the recipient — pomace-oil facility, valorisation unit, wastewater plant or other.
5. Submit within the deadline
Submission is electronic, within the annual window set by APA. Once submitted, the return becomes part of the establishment’s environmental record.
Our role
Azeite a Norte commits to network producers to keep track of the evolving environmental obligations of the sector and to make them accessible to those who produce.
What we do
We publish permanent content such as this page, run briefing sessions for network producers and keep an open channel for questions on the process — at info@azeiteanorte.com.
The horizon
In partnership with higher education, we develop applied research lines for the valorisation of mill by-products. The goal is clear: to turn what is today a residue into a resource, at the service of the territory, of the circular economy and of the international recognition of northern Portuguese olive oil.
Frequently asked questions
I am a small producer. Do I also have to file this return?
The obligation applies to establishments producing waste covered by the regime, regardless of scale. If in doubt about your specific case, contact us or consult APA directly.
What changes if I deliver pomace to a pomace-oil facility?
Delivering to a licensed pomace-oil facility does not exempt the mill from filing the annual return — the volume produced and the recipient must still be declared. The facility becomes the recipient identified in MIRR.
Where do I find the LER code for my waste?
The European Waste Catalogue is published and accessible through the APA portal. For the olive oil sector, the relevant chapter is «02 — Wastes from agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, forestry, hunting and fishing; food preparation and processing».
Can I ask Azeite a Norte for help?
Yes. By e-mail (info@azeiteanorte.com) we clarify how the regime applies, direct producers to the official tools and flag collective sessions when they are planned.
Sources and legislation
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Decree-Law 102-D/2020, of 10 December — General Waste Management Regime (Diário da República).
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Portuguese Environment Agency portal — www.apambiente.pt
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SILiAmb — Integrated Environmental Licensing System — siliamb.apambiente.pt
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MIRR — Integrated Waste Register Map (SILiAmb module).
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European Waste Catalogue (LER).
«A good olive oil begins in the grove. And answers for everything that leaves the mill.»