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Date Published: 08/10/2024

Rubbish rates rocket: Orihuela Costa residents to pay 285 per cent more for bins

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From January 1 next year, the entire Orihuela Costa will have to fork out 200 euros for waste collection

Rubbish rates rocket: Orihuela Costa residents to pay 285 per cent more for bins

Last week, the Spanish government delivered the unwelcome news that waste collection charges will be going up across the board from 2025 for every household in the country. And, unlike the recent grocery price hike, which amounts to just a few cents here and there, those in the industry expect bin charges to shoot up by around 150%.

Even before the national news was announced, the City Council told residents of the Orihuela Costa to expect their bill to soar by more than 300%. This suggested that homeowners would go from paying around 70 euros a year to 238.76 euros.

Given the endless complaints about the state of the communal bins in urbanisations up and down the southern Alicante coast, residents were understandably outraged and a huge public outcry ensued.

In an unusual move, it seems the local government actually listened, and they’ve officially announced a slightly lower bin charge for next year. What’s more, the administration has agreed to a flat rate for every household in every district, rather than implementing different charges depending on the neighbourhood.

How much are the new bin charges going to cost?

According to a statement from the Orihuela City Council on Monday October 7, from January 1 next year each tax payer, regardless of their place of residence, will pay 0.55 cents per day for waste collection. This amounts to around 200 euros per year.

It’s worth noting that their first proposal was to charge outlying districts 175.63 euros and 238.76 euros along the coast, a move that was vehemently opposed for its unfairness.

Since the current waste collection fee is roughly 70 euros (made in bi-annual instalments), this new charge represents an increase of 285%.

Why are the changes being introduced?

It’s not down to either the broader Spanish government or the local Orihuela council, but rather the increase comes as a response to the 2022 European Waste Law, which forces local authorities to pass on the entire cost of waste collection services to households by April 2025 at the latest.

At the moment, homeowners only pay 34.86%, while the councils foot the rest of the bill.

The total annual cost of waste management in Orihuela amounts to 18,763,987 euros, including an investment of more than 3 million euros per year over the next six years to improve the service.

Are there any discounts?

The new ordinance does have some reductions for households based on economic criteria, which will benefit single-parent families, large families, and families with only one member, or victims of gender violence, among others.

They are also working on different tax breaks and bonuses for recycling, but the details on these benefits are scant at the moment.

The mandatory bin charge increase will come into effect on January 1, 2025, once it is finally approved by the municipal council.

In other news: Three earthquakes rock the Costa Blanca in one night

Image: AVCRL

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