Under the slogan ‘My village is also my home and I want it clean’, the Residents’ Association of Los Montesinos has sought permission from the Government Sub-delegation in Alicante to hold a rally. This gathering is set for Sunday, the twenty-sixth of October, at midday in the Town Hall square and aims to voice the community’s discontent over the poor waste collection and street cleaning services they have endured for some time.

The association has approached municipal officials multiple times in recent months to address these complaints, particularly requesting more frequent emptying of the recycling and cardboard bins, which have reportedly gone uncollected for nearly a month. Since its formation, the association has been advocating for a proper service, which would include daily collections across the entire municipality. Currently, waste is not collected on Saturdays or on the eve of public holidays, and in many neighbourhoods, collection occurs only every two to three days.

Residents are also calling for the cleaning and disinfection of bins, which are occasionally cleaned externally after persistent complaints. They express disappointment that residents must leave waste outside full containers, as bins are often overflowing, leading to incivility problems. Additionally, they lament the five-year lapse on the waste collection contract and the lack of clear solutions from the council, citing an increase in waste charges without improved services.

The mayor, José Manuel Butrón, recently sent a letter to residents attributing part of the issue to a lack of recycling education. This has sparked indignation among residents, already burdened with rising waste collection fees due to increased operational costs. Following the announcement of the rally, Butrón stated that efforts are underway to draft a new contract for waste services aimed at addressing these ongoing issues.