Urbaser and Santa Pola Council are set to launch a new door-to-door waste collection service starting on 1st June. This initiative will affect approximately 1,600 homes located in areas with narrow streets, where traditional large containers cannot be easily placed or accessed by standard collection lorries.
The primary objective of the scheme is to improve the cleanliness of pavements and boost recycling rates for paper and packaging. Alberto Bleda, a representative from Urbaser, explained during the campaign launch that the new system involves residents placing different types of waste into specific small bins or buckets. This replaces the previous method of leaving rubbish bags directly on the street, which often led to spillages and unpleasant odours.
Mayor Loreto Serrano noted that the council has been seeking solutions for waste management in these specific parts of the municipality for some time. She highlighted that narrow streets make it difficult to find suitable locations for large bins, as residents often object to having them outside their doors due to smells and the accumulation of bulky items. Furthermore, rubbish bags left on the ground are frequently damaged by seagulls or vehicles, leading to leaked liquids and scattered litter.
To help residents transition to the mandatory service, the council is distributing information leaflets and magnets featuring the collection calendar. A promotional video featuring two seagulls has also been created to explain the changes. This system has already seen success in other municipalities and is expected to significantly reduce the mess caused by bags on the public highway.
