The municipality of Orihuela Costa has today introduced four new waste collection trucks in a bid to enhance waste management services in the area. This significant investment of one million two hundred and seventy-nine thousand three hundred and thirty-three euros marks the end of reliance on an outdated fleet that has been plagued by frequent breakdowns. A fifth truck is expected to join the fleet shortly after completing its registration process.

The newly acquired vehicles, which include two rear-loading compactors and three side-loading compactors, will primarily serve the coastal residential areas during peak season, when the population triples due to tourism. The district has recorded annual peaks of waste, necessitating improved collection capabilities. Mayor Pepe Vegara emphasised the importance of this fleet upgrade in ensuring timely and efficient waste collection.

Rocío Ortuño, the Councillor for Solid Waste, highlighted that these modern trucks not only improve collection efficiency but also provide better working conditions for the operatives. They incorporate advanced compaction systems and GPS technology to optimise routes. Ortuño urged residents to cooperate by adhering to waste disposal guidelines to prevent overflow issues at bins, especially in popular holiday areas.

This fleet renewal follows a recent upgrade of over one thousand six hundred waste containers and signals a broader commitment from Orihuela to enhance waste management services while considering the municipality’s environmental responsibilities. In addition, plans are underway to acquire smaller open-box trucks to further improve collection efficiency in the coming weeks, alongside a plea to the regional waste consortium to extend operational hours for waste transfer stations to better manage increasing waste volumes during peak periods.