In the early 2010’s, society knew that waste management had become a problem, as well as political representation. The topic was very present in waste management, collection and treatment. In addition to the towns of Alto Deba, also in Gipuzkoa: door to door or containers; incinerator yes or no. However, all of them were clear that they wanted to double the recycling rate. "So when it comes to waste management in our homes and in our territory, we had a problem and we weren't very conscious. At that time, we became aware of this and we helped to find a solution," said Pedro Iturbe, Mayor of the CAV and ANV during the 2007-2011 term.

Usurbil was the first Gipuzkoan municipality to implement a door-to-door waste collection system. Taking advantage of his experience, on 7 March 2011, the door to door was installed in Antzuola. It was the fourth municipality of Gipuzkoa, after Usurbil, Hernani and Oiartzun.

The then Commonwealth of the Upper Must had committed itself to the implementation of the door-to-door system throughout the region and had developed a door-to-door implementation plan in all the municipalities of the Upper Must. The mayor of Antzuola, Iñaki Azkarate, proposed "to establish a step by step" the initiative taking into account "the size of the locality and its possible advantages of implementation". And also because of the "talante" they showed. Thus, on 7 July 2010, the Plenary of the City of Antzuola approved the proposal of the Commonwealth, with seven votes in favour: The five from the EAE-ANV and the two from the Aralar-Zutik and Ezker Batua coalition. Two out of three PNV councillors abstained, while the only PSE-EE councillor did not attend.

José Mari Iturbe was Commissioner for the Environment and Agriculture of the legislature and a member of the Committee from door to door: "Once the political decision was taken, our job was to organize in Antzuola the system door to door. We hold countless meetings with citizens to promote their participation. In this way, we gather the opinions and take the necessary steps to implement the system. At first, the concern was great; several meetings of about 60 people were held. There we explain how waste should be separated. Some expressed disagreement over the difficulties he saw in doing so. However, despite the difficulties, there is nothing more to do with the current data. In general, citizenship responded well and they say the system door to door."

28% to 87.9%

In 2010, Antzuola – around 28% – was the least recycled locality in Alto Deba. One year after door-to-door implementation, the unemployment rate stood at 87.92%. In 2013 he got the best 10 year data: 89.99%. "We thought we were OK, but the data didn't say it. With some small changes, we went on to recycle more. We easily adapted, at first there was also uncertainty and concern," says Pedro Iturbe.

According to data from the Commonwealth of Independent States, in 2019 each antzuola generated 337,45 kilos of domestic waste, 924,52 grams per day. Organic, including domestic and community compost, generated 107.25 kilos – 293.84 grams per day. If the amount of car Nico is added to the residue of pruning and gardening, each antzuolarra generated 119.63 kilos – 327.75 grams daily. As for the rest, each of them weighs 65.03 kilos – 178.16 grams per day.

In 2019, 24,729 tonnes of household waste were collected in Alto Deba, of which 5,366 tonnes were sent to refuse disposal sites.

In terms of recycling rates for 2019, 59.26% were recycled in Gipuzkoa, 79.99% in Antzuola, 78.48% in Oñati, 75.91% in Arrasate and 80.75% in Bergara.

Decline in recent years

The door-to-door has changed in the last ten years, and the mayor, Beñardo Kortabarria, has pointed out that there has been a decrease. "It is true that in recent years it has been a bit down and before it was better differentiated. This decrease in data coincides with the construction of the incinerator. The incinerator sends the public a message such as: "As you want to gather, we will burn it." That doesn't match what we think. We believe that the environment must be taken care of. In this need and challenge, we must generate few waste and separate it as much as possible. And it recycles the kines of sling that they can recycle."

How can we improve it?

Two years ago, the City Hall launched the Garbi egin campaign, which under the motto "play clean". "Through the campaign, we wanted to move the idea that we have to be honest with the door to the door. It is a majority choice of citizenship and must be respected, because the benefits are for everyone. For example, the Community has launched a campaign to recycle light packaging well. In light packaging there are many improper, that is, there are many things that should not be there. It cannot therefore be sold, which means a loss to the Community of around EUR 150,000. If they are properly collected, those EUR 150,000 would be taken from the bill and, in addition, we would be monitoring and respecting the environment," the mayor said. "We have to remember that commitment to the citizens, to the citizens and to their citizens. The advantages must be explained and demonstrated. This pandemic has taught us that we cannot continue as we live. The world suffers from what the human being does and, if we do not take care of our environment, nobody takes care of it. We have to campaign to make it visible and give the necessary explanations and information to people, bringing us closer to them whenever necessary."

Economically deficient?

Door-to-door pick-up costs are higher. The opposition therefore accuses the government of being deficient and calls for models for the management of other waste. "The City Hall doesn't have to take money out of the services it has. Therefore, the collection of waste or waste has a cost. The City Hall charges citizens less than that cost, even if it is large containers, which would be the same, as the part of that cost would be borne by the City Hall. It is logical that the City Council should not lose or make money. But it's true that we're getting closer to that. Door to door is not, in itself, deficient, because cleaning the street is deficient, even having public electricity... People pay taxes and the City Hall provides services in exchange for that," the mayor said.

The voice of citizenship

Among those who have shown a favourable attitude, they say that they are satisfied and that they are doing well. "It's everyone's responsibility to classify it well. With the fifth container, some would not have the value," says Rosa Yarzak.Bosgarren, others want the comfort offered by the container. "At first, I was doing very well. Life has changed and, in my case, working hours make it difficult for me to adapt it from door to door, and I have to leave the trash on the balcony for a week. The fifth container is more suitable for me," said Mikel Agüero.

Evolution of the system

Antzuola was the first municipality in Alto Deba to implement the door-to-door at the end of the 2007-2011 term. After Antzuola came other towns of Debagoiena, in the period 2011-2015. Bildu achieved victory both in the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and in the Alto Deba. In Oñati they began to launch the door to door and gradually the waste collection system was extended to the whole valley: A Bergara, Aretxabaleta and Eskoriatza.

An agreement was reached in Elgeta and Arrasate/Mondragon and the fifth container was launched. In 2014, a popular consultation was held in Elgeta, in which the fifth container was imposed. In Arrasate, the Waste Bureau was set up and, by mutual agreement, the brown container was established.

In Aramaio and Gatzaga there is no door to door or fifth container; everyone does the community compost at home or takes it to the composting area. In the 2015-2019 mandate, the PNV won in four villages in the valley, and in three of them – Bergara, Aretxabaleta and Eskoriatza – the container system was implemented, in consultation with the citizens.

PNV spokesman Basilio Ormazabal:

"In Antzuola, people have become aware of recycling, and that's the positive assessment I make. Ten years ago there was not much recycling, and the current recycling rate is around 80%. But the collection system is very expensive. We have 40 points and the truck has been moving around the area for three hours. Economically, it's more expensive. The fifth container is more comfortable and economical. With the placement of a dozen containers and the extraction of waste at your own will would be much cheaper. As for Community composting, a small amount is collected a year – some 20,000 kilos – which needs municipal staff, makes no sense and comes out expensive. The door to door was the imposition of the ANV. They didn't ask the people; I think they would repent; the bill has passed on them."

Former Mayor Pedro Iturbe:

"The recycling data was bad and it was clear from the beginning that we had to change the waste system. In Usurbil, they explained that there were systems with a high degree of recycling in Catalonia and Italy. A municipal delegation from Antzuola was in Catalonia and Mallorca to assess first hand the problems and possibilities that existed. Ten years later, the doubts and concerns of the time have been clarified and the citizens manage the system well; the majority are satisfied. To those who say that door-to-door is deficient, I would say that they take into account the entire cycle of the recycling system. It's not more expensive. There are several technical and academic reports. Fundraising itself is more expensive, but considering the whole cycle, door-to-door is better for citizens."