Who we areSustainability experts, strategists, scientists, innovators and visionaries

“The expression “doing more with less” applies to almost everything and also to the environment. Knowing the reality that surrounds us, identifying inefficiencies and developing ways to eliminate them is what motivates me the most. This approach requires a micro-knowledge of the systems based on a survey of the systems’ inputs and outputs. My aim is to use this knowledge to develop the most efficient solutions, combining innovation with circular economy strategies and efficiency solutions.”

Ana has a degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of the Algarve and over 20 years’ experience in environmental consultancy and waste management. She has worked with several companies managing hazardous and non-hazardous industrial waste and urban waste, where she has carried out technical and commercial activities in multiple economic sectors, including the participation in technical and economic studies on environmental and waste management with the industry and local authorities.

Over the last few years she set up a company in the fields of waste management, consultancy and environmental innovation, having developed innovation projects on environmental management, namely monitoring, eco-efficiency and the circular economy, which included, among other activities, analyses of industrial processes, environmental and market studies and the development of content for training and capacity building.

Ana joined 3drivers with the aim of developing consultancy projects for urban waste management, from a technical, economic and strategic perspective.

“I dream of resilient, smart, and circular cities. I help to build the future of now.”

Ana Mestre holds a degree in Energy and Environmental Engineering from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon. She completed her master’s thesis on sustainable building renovation at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, where she studied sustainable energy systems, renewable energies, and energy efficiency.

She developed part of her career as an academic researcher at the University of Minho’s Department of Civil Engineering, where she managed the Portuguese team in the European project MORE-CONNECT. More recently he was part of Zero Trash Lab, a non-profit organization where she developed multiple waste management and prevention projects for associations, municipalities, and businesses.

In March 2022, she joined the 3drivers team as a senior consultant to help with the development of circular building construction, circular economy, and waste management projects.

António Lorena is an environmental expert with over 12 years of experience in waste management, circular economy, and policy development. He holds an MSc in Environmental Engineering from IST and a postgraduate diploma in Sustainable Energy Systems.

Since 2016, António is the Managing Partner of 3drivers, an environmental consulting firm specializing in fields such as waste management, environmental metrics, and circular economy, supporting all types of organizations, from SMEs to the national governments. António has coordinated over 30 projects, from waste-related R&D projects to the development of national-level policies. His highlights include the development of a National Strategy for Resource Efficiency for Portugal and Madeira’s Regional Agenda for the Circular Economy. António has authored the EC Eco-innovation Country Report for Portugal from 2016 to 2020 and is one of the authors of the National Research & Innovation 2030 Agenda for the Circular Economy.

António is also a researcher at the IN+ Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy, a transdisciplinary research unit in Universidade de Lisboa. His research work focuses on topics such as the economic and environmental impacts of waste management and the design of more effective public policies.

“We are all an integral part of the environment, and as such, we cannot be oblivious to the issues surrounding this topic. It is up to all of us to be part of the solution.”

Catarina holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from Universidade Nova de Lisboa, having completed her Master’s degree in Environmental Systems Engineering in 2022. During her academic career, she developed an interest in the areas of circular economy, environmental management in organizations, and waste management, in its technical, environmental, economic, and social perspectives, having later developed her master’s thesis in the latter.
Since March 2023 he has been a member of the 3drivers team, supporting the development of projects in the area of urban waste in the technical, economic, and strategic aspects.

“I have always been concerned about environment and natural resources, as well as being aware that we are polluters and that everything we do has an impact. I realized that the more finite resources are, the more we must use our intelligence and creativity to, through R&I, create solutions that make our activities more sustainable, efficient and circular. Deep down, I believe we are engineers of our destiny.”

David Gaspar holds a MSc degree in Environmental Engineering from FCT NOVA (2021). During his academic career, he also collaborated with the waste@NOVA research group in monitoring campaigns for the implementation of beverage packaging return machines, of which he carried out environmental, economic and social assessments. He started his professional career in the Commercial Department of a waste management company, and then worked in the Infrastructures Department of SL Benfica.

In 2023, he joined 3drivers mainly to support strategic planning and technical and economic analysis on matters related to urban waste collection and recovery solutions.

“I’m driven by the belief that we can protect natural resources and deliver practical solutions to sustainability challenges—supporting responsible development while safeguarding the health of our planet. Every project is a step towards a more resilient and sustainable future.”

After graduating from Instituto Superior Técnico with a degree in Environmental Engineering, he developed an interest in topics like waste management, renewable energy, circular economy, and numerical modeling. After completing an internship at E-REDES and earning his master’s degree in 2022, he decided to return to the academic community as a research fellow in marine systems modeling, in which he focused his master’s thesis. He also acquired more expertise in data processing, computer model implementation and calibration, and deepened his knowledge about the hydrodynamic and biogeochemical functioning of the systems under study. A year after starting his career as a scientific researcher, he started a PhD program centered on the creation of a wave energy converter a year after he began working as a scientific researcher.

After two years, he joined 3drivers as a junior consultant, with the ambition of exploring his interests and contributing to the company’s various consultancy and R&D projects.

“I’m motivated to create and develop projects focused on preventing and reducing the use of natural resources, on doing more with less, and on recovering and transforming waste into new resources. Seeking efficiency in all processes is a mandatory mission to achieve sustainability.”

Eduardo has 17 years of professional experience and started his career as a scientific researcher working on national and international research and development projects in the area of waste management, focused on the creation and implementation of management systems dedicated to specific waste streams. Joining the consultancy activity with scientific research, during this period he consolidated his training and became a co-author of several scientific articles and publications.

Currently, he assumes the role of Managing Partner at 3drivers, being responsible for the Environmental Compliance area. In recent years, it has developed several projects for technical and environmental assessment of waste management systems and also projects for assessing the environmental performance of products. Eduardo’s activity has been marked by the close collaboration between the development of scientific research projects and the application of knowledge in proposing solutions for national and international organizations responsible for managing end-of-life products.

“Study, innovate, and find solutions on the path to sustainability.”

Francisco joined the 3drivers team in 2023 to reinforce the environmental compliance area, having been developing activities related to the analysis of waste management operators, including technical, operational and regulatory aspects.

He holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and did his thesis at Instituto Superior Técnico, in the modeling of environmental conditions in aquatic environments for the development of algae production. He brings experience in fieldwork in data collection and in office in modeling, important valences for the analysis work that he has been developing at 3drivers.

“‘Durable past, sustainable future’: in the field of Conservation Sciences, which comprehensively covers the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage, it is believed that durability is synonymous with sustainability. Similarly, the implementation of design, technologies and production processes, as well as the application of tools for assessing the economic and environmental impact, can significantly increase the durability and, therefore, the sustainability of contemporary materials.”

Giovanni Borsoi is a Materials Chemist (Cá Foscari University, Venice, Italy) and a PhD in Architectural Engineering (Technical University of Delft, Netherlands).

He has about 15 years of experience in R&D in the area of the built environment, nanomaterials and circular economy, with active participation in projects at LNEC (Lisbon), IST (Lisbon) and TU Delft (Netherlands), and transversal collaborations with institutions in several European countries (e.g. Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, etc). He has worked as a technical consultant in the area of urban conservation and built heritage, both in the Conservation Practice (Lisbon) and as a free-lance, as well as in the development of research projects funded by national and European agencies in the area of the built environment, innovative materials, and waste management and recovery, among others.

He joined 3drivers in July 2024, as a senior technical consultant.

Guilherme Azambuja

Guilherme Azambuja, an economist focused on public policy issues, has accumulated experience since 2019 in consultancy and advisory in areas such as public policies and the circular economy, having advised members of the Portuguese Government on different occasions, as well as designing and teaching training content in these areas. He specializes in strategic planning, public policy design, public finance and public administration.

At 3drivers, in addition to his role as Project Manager, he carries out consultancy work related to public policy, economics and the circular economy. His involvement in the development and consolidation of the Government’s strategic planning in Portugal stands out, as well as in projects such as the Organic and Functional Reform of the State, program budgeting and the creation of the first MOOC on Circular Economy in Portugal. Over the years she has developed institutional skills, namely representing the government and institutions internationally at technical meetings and on various international missions.

“I am motivated by the constant search for knowledge that makes it possible to develop innovative solutions for the more sustainable use of materials.”

João Duarte started to work with 3drivers at the end of 2018, bringing a technical vision for the problems of waste management and recovery, having already contributed to several projects within the scope of circular economy and management of specific waste streams, namely the characterization of the retreading sector, fragmentation of end-of-life vehicles, and the Integrated Management System of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. It is also important to note the experience in Life Cycle Assessment projects for products and services.

João has a master´s degree in Materials Engineering and graduation in Sciences of Materials Engineering, both from Instituto Superior Técnico Lisboa.

“I am driven by the challenge of finding solutions that minimize environmental impact while fostering innovation and efficiency.”

Madalena Medeiros holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico.  Madalena developed her thesis on the environmental impacts of milk and meat production in Europe. Through a meta-analysis of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies, she calculated greenhouse gas emissions using the IPCC 6th Assessment Report methodologies, addressing methodological challenges and proposing systematic approaches for more consistent assessments. During her master’s, she developed skills in data analysis, environmental modeling, and circular economy.

She joined the 3drivers team in 2025 as a trainee consultant, contributing to consultancy projects related to product sustainability and environmental performance, leveraging her expertise to support clients in achieving their goals.

“Being plural and constantly learning is what I try to do every day.”

Ana Margarida has over ten years of experience in waste management and circular economy, in the field of consultancy and scientific research. She holds a degree in Environmental Health, a Master’s degree in Sanitary Engineering, and a Postgraduate Studies in Bioenergy from FCT-NOVA.

She has participated in the development of national and international studies in the areas of sustainable management of urban waste and other specific waste streams, analysis, and characterization of collection activities, urban metabolism, and marine litter management, throughout her career as a researcher at waste@NOVA – a group of researchers from Universidade Nova who study waste from technical, environmental, economic, and social perspectives.

She joined 3drivers in 2021 as a senior consultant for waste management and resource efficiency, specializing in strategic planning, and technical and economic analysis of solutions for the collection and recovery of urban waste.

“My care and attention for the environment are ingrained in me because I was born on an island surrounded by lots of natural beauty. And at a time when it becomes more crucial to “act before it’s too late”, my desire to positively contribute to this desperately needed shift towards sustainability is also getting stronger.”

Mariana has a degree in management from the University of Madeira and a master’s degree in Environmental Economics and Management from the University of Porto. Throughout her academic and professional journey, she tried to develop and consolidate multiple subjects within her interests, such as circular economy and management.

Mariana joined our team in July of 2022, with the aim of providing support in the policy, strategy, and planning services, related to the topic of corporate sustainability.

“I am motivated to contribute to a more sustainable future, where we can meet our needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.”

Mariana Canhoto has a degree in Chemical Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico and specializes in the area of Energy Transition and Sustainability. Her master’s thesis was developed within the scope of the circular economy of plastics with a focus on the pyrolysis and gasification of waste electrical cables made of PVC and copper, from the company Efacec, allowing the analysis of the circularity of plastic, metal, and hydrochloric acid formed during the processes. More recently, she developed a research fellowship in the field of the circular economy of plastic waste and in which she had the possibility to deepen her knowledge about the chemical recycling processes of these materials.

She joined the 3drivers team in March 2023 to support the development of consultancy and R&D projects in the areas of circular economy and energy, thus applying her knowledge to support clients and partners from different areas.

“The day on which we exhaust the planet’s annual resources keeps arriving earlier and earlier. Consumption patterns need to be adjusted to the limits of the planet and respect the beings that live here. This means changing systems and behaviours, which are intertwined. Solutions for sustainability must acknowledge this connection, and it is my great motivation to work on this challenge.”

I worked in research for 4 years in the field of waste and waste management, and developed consultancy work on these themes in this context as well.  I have a particular passion for topics related to consumer behaviour and its impact on the planet and on our quality of life. I integrated in 3Drivers team intending to expand my world view, learn new competences and apply the ones I have in a more practical context, contributing to a society that is more circular and conscientious of its consumption.

“If we contribute in part to the problem, we must be part of the solution, improving for ourselves and for those around us.”

With more than 25 years of administrative experience in general, logistics and purchasing, as I enjoy new challenges, where I can apply acquired knowledge and develop new professional skills, I have joined the 3Drivers team in January 2025, as Account Manager, to support the company at an administrative level as well as in international projects, such as Authorized Representatives, which involve Managing Entities and the Portuguese Environment Agency.

“The ‘nature bug’ has always been present in me, greatly encouraged by the people around me. I’ve never been able to ignore environmental issues, nor have I ever felt that I needed to act in some way. That’s why every step I’ve taken in my career has been aimed at making a difference.”

Rita Faião has a diverse academic background, starting with a degree in Geography at FLUP and a master’s degree in Ecology and Environment at FCUP, with a focus on marine biology and environmental research. In search of new challenges, she completed a second master’s degree in Environmental Management and Sustainability Sciences at Aalborg University in Denmark.

In Denmark, she had her first professional experience in ESG at a veterinary company. Her interest in waste and the circular economy arose from her master’s thesis, where she explored the integration of circular economy principles into hospital waste management, sparking a fascination with this area and the challenge it presents.

“What motivates me is being able to contribute to solving the current challenges of the waste management sector by using assessment tools such as LCA. My eagerness to learn and embrace new challenges continues to be an ever-present constant in my time in 3drivers.”

Sofia Carvalho started her career in 3drivers, where she has been working as a consultant for six years in the fields of waste management, circular economy, public policies, and environmental impact assessment. During this period, Sofia has worked in Life Cycle Assessment projects for waste management. In the field of circular economy, Sofia has coordinated projects for the development of regional public policies for construction and demolition waste management.

She has a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from IST, having written her dissertation in the field of Strategic Environmental Assessment. Since 2020, she is a Ph.D. candidate in Engineering and Management at IST, developing her research in the field of Life Cycle Assessment of municipal solid waste management.

“The diversity of the environmental sustainability area presents constant challenges, where we learn a little every day and that is what motivates me to find solutions and answers to my clients and partners’ needs.”

Tânia has over 15 years’ experience in waste management, with a strong practical component in the field. She has a degree in Environmental Engineering and a master’s degree in Environmental Impacts, having developed a diversified career in the areas of consultancy, environment, commercial, communication and marketing.

She began her career at Hidroprojecto, integrating important national projects. For almost a decade, she was involved in waste management, with commercial responsibilities, environmental coordination, certification and marketing. In 2019, she took on an international challenge in Angola, coordinating environmental audits in the oil sector.

During the pandemic, she deepened her skills in digital communication and training. In 2023, she returned to the environmental sector, focusing again on waste management. In 2025, he joined 3drivers with the aim of contributing his experience and continuing to grow professionally.