"The secret and secret implementation of the landfill has given us a press conference"
- On 6 April last, the Official Gazette of the Basque Country published in the Official Gazette of the Basque Country the Environmental Recognition for the construction of a landfill in Azkoitia. The residents gathered in the Azkarate neighborhood on the Azkarate Garbi platform have been hurt by the lack of information: "What does it give us to think about doing all that secretly and secretly, because if it were positive as has been said, why have we not been informed beforehand of neighbours and citizens? ". They have set out their views consecutively to express their concerns and doubts.
"A few days ago we were aware of the authorization of the Basque Government to set up a non-hazardous waste management plant in the neighbourhood. The news, like all other parties and citizens, came to us through the press, without any prior explanation. In view of the situation, on the one hand the state of confinement and on the other hand what has happened at Zaldibar, we did not find the time or the appropriate way to receive such news.
As neighbours and as citizens, we believe that we have the right to be informed of what we are going to have close to home and it has disturbed us to be told through the press. In view of the fact that these are procedures started almost a year ago and that the start-up works of the facilities have been in operation for a few months, we believe that the City Council has had enough time to give the necessary explanations and to clarify doubts and concerns.
The City Council has insisted that this is a centre for the collection, processing and reuse of non-hazardous construction waste, but if we go to the official gazette, it can see the hazardous waste (contaminated land, asbestos-containing waste, heavy metals...) mentioned repeatedly, as well as the data on its storage. That is to say, pollution caused by activity: noise, air pollution (dust and local machinery and by the passage of lorries), pollution affecting groundwater, etc.
In addition, we know that theory and practice often do not match. There is nothing else to do with what happened at Zaldibar. Putting such activities in the hands of private companies can have serious consequences. How will it ensure that all regulations are being complied with and that the necessary measures are being taken? Who will take care of it?
To do everything in a hidden and secret way gives us what to think, because if it is as positive as they have said in the statements they have made in the last few hours, why have we not previously been informed to neighbours and neighbours? We do not agree with the explanations given, because counting the version they are interested in and keeping other details silent, instead of clarifying doubts and doubts, only increases mistrust. Therefore, we would like to hold a meeting with the City Hall in order to be able to give the necessary explanations and resolve all doubts that arise in the shortest possible time".
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