The Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja is planning to modify its contract with Acciona for urban cleaning and waste collection services. The proposed changes, confirmed by the responsible councillor, follow the company’s initiation of service in July twenty twenty-two at a cost of twenty-five million euros per year, inclusive of VAT. After two and a half years, these modifications are deemed necessary to address two significant issues that may lead to an increase in annual costs.

The updates include the introduction of a brown container for organic waste, which has not yet been implemented, and the regularisation of recycling islands that have been introduced in greater numbers than initially planned. Currently, the recycling rates for organic waste remain unsatisfactory, where approximately forty percent of domestic waste is organic, yet a large portion ends up in landfills. The council faces potential fines due to this failure to comply with European and national legislation regarding waste recycling.

Councillor María José Ruiz highlighted that changes in legislation since the original contract was signed are contributing to the need for a revision. The conditions regarding the brown containers, for instance, have become stricter, necessitating a redesign different from what was allocated. Additionally, the number of recycling islands has increased beyond the original agreement, creating further discrepancies in the contract.

As the negotiations proceed, the council aims to have all changes ready before summer, though it remains unclear if these modifications will result in a price hike. Meanwhile, inspections of the service have identified numerous compliance issues, with substantial fines already instituted. The council is committed to ensuring compliance and enhancing the recycling efforts to meet both local and legal expectations.