The results of the door-to-door refuse collection system that Dolores City Council implemented one year ago were presented yesterday, Tuesday April 22nd. The data indicate a substantial increase in the number of residents who separate waste at the source, which has enabled the municipality to establish itself as a reference point in the Vega Baja region and, more importantly, to decrease the waste collection rate for its residents by 2025.

Mayor Joaquín Hernández underscored that “households are obligated to pay for their consumption and pollution, as mandated by law. Additionally, municipalities are obligated to cover the cost of waste collection services through fees.” The Dolores City Council, in collaboration with the concessionaire Urbaser, has successfully implemented a door-to-door collection system in this context.

The results speak for themselves:

Packaging: The collection increased by 83% in comparison to the previous year and by 106% in comparison to the year before the system was implemented.

Paper and Cardboard: A 95% increase in the collection of paper and cardboard, which corresponds to an additional 7,800 kilogrammes collected through door-to-door services. The increase is 96% in comparison to January of the previous year.

Organic Waste: Dolores, despite the absence of a brown container, accumulates an average of 26,000 kilos per month through the door-to-door system, resulting in a total of 200 tonnes. The fact that Dolores, a city with 9,000 residents, collects over 60% of the organic refuse from the entire Vega Baja region, which has a population of 400,000, is a significant fact.

Waste Fraction (Grey Container): The municipality has reduced the quantity of waste destined for this container by 30%, resulting in 139,530 fewer kilograms being sent to the landfill since the implementation of the door-to-door system. This container costs the municipality €42.80 per tonne. A 35% average reduction in the refuse fraction since the system’s inception, which is equivalent to approximately 90,000 kilogrammes.

Joaquín Hernández underscored that the commitment of residents has been essential, despite the fact that implementation necessitated educational and informational support. “He stated that European law establishes explicit separation objectives, and the sole means of ensuring their fulfilment is through a service that facilitates the process, such as door-to-door service.”

The mayor clarified that the installation of smart container islands, which is estimated to cost €2 million, was not an option due to the fact that user identification does not ensure appropriate separation. Additionally, the municipality would incur financial penalties in the event that it fails to achieve European objectives.

According to a survey, the door-to-door service is satisfactory to eight out of ten consumers. The Environmental Educator, the Department, and municipal personnel were thanked by the City Council for their assistance in coordinating with the homeowners’ associations and providing information.

Dolores has become one of the only municipalities in Spain to decrease its waste fee in 2025, due to the success of the door-to-door system in 2023, in contrast to other municipalities in the Vega Baja that have updated and increased their waste fees. In addition, the registration of over 200 previously unaccounted-for users has been facilitated by the appropriate monitoring of residents, who are responsible for paying according to their generation.

The rate is anticipated to decrease even further by 2026, as the door-to-door system will enable residents who correctly separate refuse at the source to be identified, thereby rewarding them for their environmental commitment. By utilising a device and wristbands, the City Council can precisely monitor the participation of each household through the bin-reading system.

Dolores, therefore, serves as a model for refuse management, illustrating that a citizen-collaborative, efficient door-to-door system can not only enhance the environment but also directly benefit residents’ finances.

The National Police have arrested a 24-year-old man in Alicante as the perpetrator of six robberies that occurred at ATMs located at various banks in the city. The suspect, who possessed a lengthy criminal history, approached his victims while they were operating ATMs and successfully robbed them of over 5,400 euros. In order to accomplish this, he implemented a form of fraud that is referred to as “sowing” in police jargon. He even employed violence against one of the victims in one instance.

Commonly, the incidents were conducted in a similar manner. The perpetrator approached individuals between the ages of 54 and 82 as they proceeded to use the ATM. He took advantage of the moment they entered their PIN to approach and distract them, using the terminal and withdrawing the maximum amount possible, typically 900 euros.

The perpetrator was identified as a result of the investigation conducted by agents of the Judicial Police Group. He was a young man who was notorious for his illicit activities.

Background

The alleged perpetrator was apprehended by the National Police in the city of Alicante. Numerous garments were confiscated from him during his detention, which corresponded to those employed in three of the incidents under investigation.

The individual who was apprehended had been detained by a variety of law enforcement agencies on 29 separate occasions within the past eight months. The majority of these arrests were for burglary, fraud, robbery with violence, and other violations.

In Alicante, he was presented before the duty court. He is accused of theft and fraud with the use of violence and intimidation.

Tips for preventing ATM fraud

The National Police urges citizens, particularly seniors, to exercise caution when using ATMs:

• Refrain from operating if you observe individuals loitering in the vicinity.

• Be sure to conceal the keypad when entering your PIN.

• Refuse assistance from individuals who are not acquainted with you.

• Prevent any individual from approaching during the execution of an operation.

• In the event that the ATM is malfunctioning, it is advisable to either enter the branch or contact the bank and rescind the transaction.

It is imperative that you promptly notify the National Police in the event that you suspect or encounter any unusual circumstances. It is possible to prevent becoming a victim of this type of crime by paying attention to tiny details and taking preventative measures.

The 20-year-old driver who was arrested by the Guardia Civil on Sunday for his alleged involvement in an accident that resulted in the death of a cyclist and the injury of his 14-year-old son in the Mascarat tunnel on the N-332 highway in Calp is currently free and is awaiting a court summons that will be issued prior to the trial.

The young man was arrested on suspicion of committing the offences of negligent homicide, reckless injuries, and violations of road safety.

The Guardia Civil sent the report to the judicial authorities after gathering all the necessary information, according to sources from the armed forces. The young man has been released pending a court summons.

The driver never appeared at the Investigative Court No. 3 of Dénia, as per the High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community (TSJCV), which has already received the Guardia Civil’s report on the events. The judge is currently reviewing the report in preparation for the investigative proceedings that are associated with it.