“The current model of urban solid waste management is unsustainable,” said Arbelaitz. In this regard, the European Union developed a roadmap for an effective Europe, within the framework of the Seventh Action Programme. It lays down rules on waste management, among other things. In other words, all European States must fulfil the following objectives: By 2020 half of urban waste should be recycled and reused; by 2025 55%; by 2030 60%; and by 2035 65%.

“There is no organised policy on waste collection in the Basque Country. In this respect, it has become difficult for us to collect the data for the preparation of the report, as each country counts the waste in a different way. In Ipar Euskal Herria there are not disaggregated data, but data from all of Aquitaine. As for the other territories, we find ourselves in different situations: Navarre would meet the objectives; Álava and Gipuzkoa are defining strategic actions; and Bizkaia needs a plan because what is there is outdated,” said Arbelaitz.

Urban waste

“We have detected improvements, yes, but so far, instead of developing strategies to reduce the amount of waste, we are working on waste treatment technology. Therefore, many waste that can be recycled is wasted among the waste destined for landfill. Separation, particularly organic waste, which accounts for 40% of urban waste, must therefore be improved. We will not comply with European orders if we do not manage organics properly and differentially. Also in this section we have different results from one territory to another: In Álava, only 6.36 kilos per person per year are added; in Bizkaia, 5.76; in Gipuzkoa, 65.56; and in Navarra, 37.48”.

According to data from the Txorierri Services Community, in 2018 Larrabetzu was the municipality that collected the most organic waste per inhabitant, with 34.8 kilos. In the Valley, on the contrary, the average is much lower, of 5.6 kilos per inhabitant. However, the collection of organic waste in our villages is increasing. In 2013, 64,000 kilos were collected and 172,000 kilos were collected in 2018.

The Association of Local Entities of the Basque Country for the Improvement of Waste Management Hobetuz was established in 2018. He is a member of the Larrabetzu association, along with 9 other municipalities: Leintz Gatzaga, Berastegi, Hernani, Oiartzun, Segura, Usurbil, Berriatua, Zaldibia and Donemiliaga. “Public institutions are obliged to act responsibly and responsibly. In this work, however, mutual communication is missing. In order to fill this gap, the Hobetuz Association has been created, through which it is intended that the work carried out by the municipalities reaches the knowledge of other municipalities. It is a partnership that aims to work together and coordinate, always bearing in mind that waste management and waste disposal are available to municipalities”, they indicated on the website hobekielkartea.eus.

This news has been published by Txorierri’s Aikor magazine and we have brought it thanks to the CC-by-sa license.