There are many things paralyzed in this time of alarm and confinement, especially in their homes, except for “essential” work activities, but there are many other things that are moving very well. For example, Kutxabank has sold 500 Official Protection homes to a “vulture fund”; tax cuts have been approved in Bizkaia for this type of fund; while it is forbidden to sell its products to small farmers the big industry can continue to accumulate profits; or steps are being taken to make a landfill in Azkoitia (Gipuzkoa).

On Monday, the environmental declaration of the “waste plant” in the upper Azkarate in Azkoitia was published in the Official Gazette of the Basque Country. The environmental authorisation is dated 11 March. The authorisation, which is in principle intended for non-hazardous waste, could reach 200,000 tonnes per year of waste. After making the information public, the municipal government wanted to reassure the citizens: “It will be something like a big garbigune. It shall separate the material for re-use as far as possible.” But it also allows the collection of waste, which would become a landfill. Hazardous waste can also be collected: They would gather in a “prefabricated caset.”

Surprise, worry, anger...

Larke 360 is the company that has the project in its hands. Permission was requested in 2019. The landfill can accommodate just over 35,000 square meters. It would be built in two phases, but the official newsletter does not set a date. However, the PSE, which governs the Azkoitia City Hall together with the PNV, has ensured that so far it has not been aware of the project.

The opposition groups expressed their concern and asked for information last Tuesday, and at their request the meeting of the spokesmen’s board met. The PNV, the PSE and Azkoitia Bai jointly signed a document recognising that the project would have benefits for the Member. Azkoitia Bai points out, however, that it is also concerned about possible damage. “First of all, we were surprised that the Municipal Government did not share with the opposition or its members the information it had known for several months,” said EH Bildu of Azkoitia. He also pointed out that the landfill gives it "a great deal of concern", but added that they will analyse the issue in greater depth and then give a more complete opinion.

In the meantime, the public has organised their concern and indignation. On Tuesday there was a tinkering over the windows and it has been called to keep the protest every day. “It is not legitimate for society to be informed of such a contagious act in the state of alarm, without prior information being disseminated and participation being promoted,” said the GuraSOS Association, stressing that it is not guaranteed that only non-hazardous waste will enter the landfill.