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Dolores reduces rubbish collection rate with its “Door-to-Door” system

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.

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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.

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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.


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Costa Blanca

Drugs discovered in fire extinguishers and sofa covers in stores in the English section of Benidorm

Benidorm Local Police detained seven persons on drug trafficking charges during an investigation at six pubs in the city’s so-called “English zone.” They discovered drugs disguised in fire extinguishers, sofa coverings, and toilet paper holders.

As part of the initiative to improve inspections of establishments in that area, six have been registered in Rincón de Loix in the previous month, with four being closed as a precautionary measure after drug quantities were discovered inside.

During this operation, the Local Police seized 200 grams of cocaine, 300 LSD and MDMA pills, 200 dosages of marijuana (THC), 20 grams of hashish, eight bottles of nitrous oxide, as well as numerous mobile phones and €3,000 in cash.

According to police spokeswoman Quique Tortosa, the recovered drugs “would have exceeded 30,000 euros on the black market.”

Modus operandi


The detainees’ tactics were remarkably similar: they buried the drugs in numerous spots across the facility. The narcotics were discovered strewn in a variety of locations, including fire extinguishers, electrical outlets, toilet paper holders, and even sofa coverings.

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The seven arrested persons, who are of British, Pakistani, and Moroccan nationality, have been sent to the National Police Station so that the Drugs Unit can assess whether they will be tried in court.


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No electricity and few sales at the new temporary location of Torrevieja’s hippie market

During Holy Week, over 150 stalls from the hippy craft market opened their doors on Avenida de La Estación. This was their temporary location due to the beginning of renovation on Paseo de La Libertad and the port “landfill,” where they had been functioning since the 1990s.

The merchants have been operating without power since their doors opened on April 14. Those who wish to extend their workday until sundown, as shown here overlooking the Torrevieja lagoon, have secured a generator.


The City Council has recently began erecting overhead power lines at the intersection of Avenida de la Estación and Urbano Arregui, which will give energy to the region and serve as the first stretch of the street’s greenway.

In addition to these electrical projects, the City Council is working to improve pedestrian safety by altering pedestrian crossings to facilitate market access.

Most shopkeepers expressed disappointment. They are selling significantly less than they did at their previous site on Paseo de La Libertad.

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The increase in attendance happened during Holy Week, despite the adverse weather, holidays, and weekends. On other days, the market is relatively quiet, with many vendors closed.

Merchants point out that the location is less awful than the one originally suggested in Antonio Soria Park. At least in this region, pedestrian access and free parking are available for individuals who park their cars in the improvised parking lot close to the Acequión Canal on their way downtown.

Moving the wooden stalls from Paseo de La Libertad to their new position cost the City Council 230,000 euros. The intention was for the merchants to have opened their new stalls by now, even if they were in a temporary location. But it was too late.

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Santa Pola man questioned by police for teaching children how to shoot a gun in a park

The Santa Pola Local Police responded to an incident near the town’s Skate Park in which a man used an air rifle in front of minors. According to the police force’s social media sites, the person was showing his son and other children how to use the rifle, including shooting rounds into the air.

The incident occurred a few days ago during the officers’ afternoon shift, while they patrolled the area to maintain the safety of public places. They discovered this abnormal condition, which threatened the safety of youngsters and other individuals.

The local police arrived quickly to the area and reported the occurrence to the proper authorities. Fortunately, no serious injuries or consequences were reported, but the incident has aroused worries regarding the reckless use of this type of weapon, particularly in the company of youngsters.

The Local Police attempted to jokingly highlight the gravity of the situation by wondering whether the culprit is a “Father of the Year” candidate. They also emphasised the necessity of promoting civility in public places and educating youngsters about safety regulations.


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