Waste management: Vega Baja municipalities to receive financial support

The region remains one of the weakest in recycling within the Valencian Community

The decision by the Diputación de Alicante to provide additional support to municipalities in Vega Baja del Segura reflects not only current financial needs but also a structural problem that has developed over many years.

Today, Vega Baja remains one of the weakest regions in terms of recycling. All 27 municipalities rank among the lowest in selective waste collection. Around 192,000 tonnes of waste are generated annually, with only a small portion being recycled.

The main issue is the lack of infrastructure. Vega Baja is the only waste consortium in the province of Alicante without its own treatment plant, despite being one of the largest in terms of waste volume.

As a result, waste must be transported to other provinces such as Valencia and Castilla-La Mancha. In recent years, the situation has worsened: the number of destinations has increased from four to thirteen, and transport distances have grown by approximately 150%.

This logistics has a direct impact on costs. In areas such as Orihuela Costa, waste collection fees have risen from around €70 to nearly €200 per year. Similar trends are observed in Torrevieja.

The causes are not only technical but also administrative. For years, municipalities have failed to agree on the location of a treatment plant. Each proposal faces local opposition, and decisions are repeatedly delayed.

At the same time, pressure from the European Union is increasing, with targets to significantly raise recycling rates by 2030. In its current state, the region is not prepared to meet these requirements.

In this context, financial support from the provincial authority is seen as a measure to offset rising costs and stabilise the system.

However, the underlying problem remains unresolved. Without its own infrastructure, Vega Baja will continue to depend on external resources, and costs are likely to keep increasing.

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