The Vega Baja region in the Comunidad Valenciana has solidified its commitment to environmental sustainability through the proper management of hazardous waste, specifically used industrial oil. According to data from SIGAUS, the national authority managing this waste, Orihuela and Torrevieja have emerged as leaders in the region for their impressive recovery rates of over one hundred tonnes each in the year twenty twenty-four. Other municipalities, including Cox, San Isidro, and Benejúzar, also reported notable recovery figures ranging from forty to one hundred tonnes.

Additionally, multiple municipalities such as Pilar de la Horadada, San Miguel de Salinas, and Rojales collected between ten and forty tonnes. While areas like Jacarilla and Algorfa recovered less than ten tonnes, their participation remains crucial in ensuring waste collection even in rural or sparsely populated areas. The initiative emphasises a model of circular economy throughout the Comunidad Valenciana, wherein the collection of used oils is not restricted to the Vega Baja.

In twenty twenty-four, the Comunidad Valenciana recovered a total of thirteen thousand four hundred and seventy-six tonnes of this highly contaminating waste, which is primarily generated by mechanical workshops, agriculture, industry, and transportation sectors. SIGAUS conducted collections from six thousand one hundred and forty-eight establishments across three hundred and fifty-nine municipalities, demonstrating the extensive reach of the system, even in remote rural areas. This operation yielded over sixteen thousand tonnes of waste oil suitable for regeneration, with eighty-nine percent being converted into new lubricants.

The collaboration among municipalities in the Vega Baja reflects not only heightened environmental awareness but also a coordinated effort among local councils, businesses, and waste management authorities. Given the region’s significant agricultural activity and vehicle use, the efficient collection of used oil is vital to prevent soil and water pollution. The results indicate that the Vega Baja is making substantial strides toward a more sustainable development model where waste is transformed into a valuable resource.