Dolores Town Council has presented its twenty twenty five results from the door to door household waste collection system, showing a significant improvement in recycling and a sharp reduction in landfill waste. The scheme, fully implemented in mid twenty twenty four, aims to cut waste generation, improve management, and increase environmental awareness among residents.

According to the council, more than one hundred and fifty tonnes of mixed waste were diverted from landfill in twenty twenty five alone. Since the system began, the accumulated reduction in residual waste has exceeded six hundred tonnes, lowering transport and treatment costs. Paper and cardboard collection rose by twenty one per cent, with over fifteen tonnes more recycled, while light packaging increased by a similar percentage, adding more than twenty five tonnes.

Organic waste showed the strongest growth. Collection rose from just over two hundred tonnes in twenty twenty four to more than three hundred and fifteen tonnes in twenty twenty five, an increase of fifty per cent. In total, more than five hundred and twenty two tonnes of organic waste have been separated and sent mainly for composting. Free bulky waste collection also increased by ten per cent, helping to reduce illegal dumping.

Mayor Joaquín Hernández said Dolores now recycles more organic waste than any other municipality in the Vega Baja, accounting for over sixty per cent of the area’s total. He added that lower landfill use has reduced costs and will allow future waste charges to reward households that separate waste correctly, following the principle that those who pollute should pay more.