Alicante Calls for Public Awareness to Improve Cleanliness

The successful tourist season in Alicante, which saw thousands of people flocking to the city and its beaches, has brought numerous economic benefits but also some drawbacks. The increased population pressure generates more waste and strains municipal cleaning services. The Councilor for Environment and Cleaning, Manuel Villar, has met with neighborhood and business associations to address the deficiencies observed over the past months.

The City Council believes it is necessary to "improve public awareness campaigns," particularly regarding the improper disposal of bulky items outside of containers and at inappropriate times, as well as enhancing certain organizational aspects to avoid these issues.

Nevertheless, Villar has provided figures on the services being rendered. The City of Alicante has 26 trucks dedicated to bulky item collection, nine during the day and 17 at night, which travel around the city collecting items left outside containers. "If more are needed, they will be added," stated the deputy mayor, "but the work being done must also be acknowledged."

"We take responsibility, but it cannot be that the criticism is solely directed at those who have to clean," added the Councilor for Cleaning, "but also at those who litter," referring to a minority of citizens who do not comply with regulations regarding waste disposal times and calling for bulky item collection services.

In this regard, Villar emphasizes the work carried out by Netial, Alicante's new cleaning and waste collection contractor. "By 8 a.m., there are no overflowing containers in the city," he stressed. However, he acknowledges the need to increase public awareness campaigns and focus on those who do not comply with regulations.