Alicante Sets Record in Glass Collection

Alicante collected 6,726 tonnes of glass containers in 2024, marking a 6% increase compared to the previous year, against a national backdrop of a 3% consumption decline. These figures position the city as the second provincial capital with the highest increase in selective glass collection nationwide, according to data presented by Ecovidrio, the entity responsible for recycling these waste materials.

Thanks to this collective effort, the City Council received the Green Flag for Sustainability this Monday at the Ministry of Environment in Valencia, recognising Alicante's environmental commitment and its hospitality sector. In total, over 250 establishments in the municipality joined the sixth edition of the #GreenFlagsMovement, promoted by Ecovidrio to encourage the circular economy in coastal municipalities.

The Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Street Cleaning and Waste Management, Manuel Villar, highlighted that this achievement has prevented the emission of 3,900 tonnes of CO2, saved 4,800 MWh of energy, and halted the extraction of over 8,000 tonnes of raw materials. "It's an example of how a daily gesture can have a significant environmental impact," he noted.

Each citizen of Alicante deposited an average of 18.7 kg of glass in 2024, equivalent to 64 containers per person, in the 1,547 green containers distributed throughout the city. This equates to more than 63,000 containers recycled daily and over 40 per minute, figures in line with the national average.

Across the province, Alicante leads citizen contribution to glass collection in the Valencian Community, with 23.3 kg per inhabitant, ahead of Valencia (14.2 kg/inhabitant) and Castellón (12.9 kg/inhabitant).

Alicante will compete again this summer with 47 other municipalities in the Community to retain the Green Flag. As a novelty, Ecovidrio will reward the most committed municipalities with a beach cleaning day, in collaboration with the entity Paisaje Limpio.

Additionally, the two most sustainable hospitality venues will be recognised, evaluating everything from resource efficiency to recycling practices. Last year's winners were Petimetre and Cor de Carxofa.

From Ecovidrio, its Deputy Director of Management for the Eastern Zone, Roberto Fuentes, thanked the efforts of municipalities and the hospitality sector: "The Green Flags Movement not only promotes recycling but also demonstrates that sustainability is a shared commitment."