Residents of the Blue Hill estate in San Miguel de Salinas have asked the council for urgent improvements to waste collection services. They report that bulky items, garden cuttings and general rubbish have been left piled up around containers, in some cases for two months. The request, signed by residents’ representative Stefan Pokroppa, calls for immediate clearance, more bins and the replacement of damaged containers.

Neighbours say they have repeatedly reported the situation through the council’s incident line, but claim there has been no improvement. They are also asking for reinforced collections during the summer season, with rubbish collected at least twice a day to prevent overflows and health concerns.

The collection service is run by Actúa, part of Grupo Hozono Global, which is continuing to operate after its contract expired. As an essential service, it is being paid under the previous terms. However, the company has requested a price review, which the PSOE–IU governing team considers administratively irregular until a new contract is awarded.

According to municipal sources, the dispute has led to some services, including weekly garden waste collection, being reduced. The council has now hired a grab lorry with its own staff to begin clearing cuttings in several urbanisations, including Blue Hill. A new waste collection contract is expected to go out to tender before the end of the year.