Algaida begins the elimination of the eight waste disposal areas of Foravila

AlgaidaThe Algaida Town Council has begun the gradual elimination of the eight waste collection points in the municipality. The goal is to streamline the recycling system and reduce the constant illegal dumping. This is all part of the transition plan to the new Algaida recycling center, which opened last October. The first collection point to be eliminated was the one on the Sencelles road, the closest to the new municipal collection center. Although residents of the area can now go directly to the new recycling center to manage all their waste, the Town Council has detected the first instances of illegal dumping in the area formerly occupied by the collection point. Therefore, despite the closure of these collection points, the surveillance cameras remain active. According to the planned schedule, the next areas to be closed will be the Montaña area (December 1st) and the Porreres road area (December 15th). Next year, the Castellitx branch will close (January 1st), as will the Cemetery branch (January 15th). The Son Lluc, Pina, and Randa branches will also close, with the closing date yet to be determined.

The increase in residents in the rural areas of Algaida, coupled with holiday tourism, has led the Algaida Town Council to decide to eliminate these designated waste disposal areas, spaces that have always been difficult to manage. In fact, successive councils have had to implement measures to control them as the number of users grew, but also due to misuse by some residents, people with second homes, and even residents of other municipalities who leave waste. Thus, surveillance cameras, access codes, and later, resident-only access cards were installed. However, managing these areas remains complicated and a serious problem for the Algaida Town Council. Mayor Margalida Fullana explains that "the collection areas are overflowing to the point that Melchor Mascaró – the company contracted to provide the service to Pla – could empty all the saturated areas every day, and the containers still wouldn't be enough." Although they are being cleared adequately, "the reality is that the problem persists despite having surveillance cameras and access control." "For example, if there are two yellow containers for packaging, there should be four, and even then, we don't have the physical space for more, and when the containers are full, people throw the bags on the ground or leave them outside." Despite this, the City Council has issued fines to those they have been able to identify. In this regard, Fullana points out that "we don't issue a fine if a user with access finds a full container and leaves the bag aside, but rather for improper disposal: red bags used incorrectly, prohibited waste, mixing of different types of waste—such as cardboard with other materials—or glass in the waste, among other things."

Traffic towards the new recycling center

The decision to close the Foravila waste collection areas was made with the new municipal recycling center ready "to handle the demand from the entire municipality." The City Council insists that the new recycling center is the appropriate facility for managing all waste and that removing the collection areas is "a necessary step to bring order and prevent the deterioration of the Foravila landscape and paths."

The new facility, located on the Sencelles road, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Two staff members are on hand to assist users. The mayor explains that the facility allows for the recycling of 100% of household waste: bulky items, hard plastics, red bags, wood, fluorescent tubes, hygiene products, oil, clothing, baskets, and much more. For bulky items, the appointment system remains in place to ensure orderly operation and prevent overcrowding. As is well known, use is free for any resident registered for manure collection. This is precisely where one of the problems lies: "Some people who don't pay for manure and, therefore, cannot access the facility are the ones who end up leaving waste on the roads or in unauthorized areas." In this regard, the most affected areas are sidewalks, access points to the recycling center, and busy sections such as the roundabout near the Hostal in Cal Dimoni.

Sanctions and liability

The City Council reminds residents that it cannot "put a police officer behind every person" and that, while the corresponding fines are being processed, municipal staff must constantly remove bags and litter from public roads. It also emphasizes that "many people from outside the city do very well, recycling correctly and using the recycling center regularly, guided by the staff." "The new facility has everything needed for environmentally conscious people who want to do things right," it notes. The mayor appeals to users: "It is essential that people be responsible so that together we can have a better municipality."