Rafal Town Council has presented its new municipal solid waste collection service, awarded to Actúa, as part of a broad modernisation of the town’s waste management system. The initiative, developed over more than a year, aims to create a cleaner, more efficient and more sustainable model while helping the municipality comply with Spain’s Law 7/2022 on waste, contaminated land and the circular economy.
One of the most important changes is the introduction of the brown bin for the separate collection of organic waste. This fifth container will operate with an electronic access card and will allow residents to dispose of food and other organic matter separately from general rubbish. The Council says this measure is essential because organic waste represents more than 60% of a typical household rubbish bag, while Rafal’s current recycling rate is only around 12%, far below the 65% annual target required by 2035.
The rollout of the brown bin will be supported by a public information campaign explaining how residents can obtain and use the access card. Users will also receive a kit with compostable bags and a 10-litre kitchen caddy to make separating organic waste at home easier. The Council is also working with SUMA on possible future tax incentives or discounts on the waste collection fee for residents who recycle correctly, following the European principle that “the polluter pays”.
The contract, worth approximately €1.4 million, will initially run for three years, with the possibility of two one-year extensions. It includes the full renewal of Rafal’s waste containers, many of which are old and deteriorated. The new units will increase capacity from 1,000 litres to 2,400 litres, helping to prevent overflowing bins and meet the needs of a growing population. They will also include automatic closing systems to reduce odours, as well as foot-pedal and handle-opening mechanisms designed to improve accessibility, including for people with reduced mobility.
The service will also strengthen cleaning around containers and collection points. Bins will be washed inside and outside with pressure-cleaning equipment once a month in low season and twice a month in high season. The same schedule will apply to the cleaning of collection areas, with specialist teams removing waste and leachate to improve hygiene, appearance and public health.
Mayor Noemí Cutillas described the new service as a transformative step that will improve residents’ quality of life and the image of Rafal. Environment councillor Víctor García said the system is designed to solve existing problems and make correct waste separation easier. Actúa director Daniel Puchol thanked the Council for its trust and said the company is committed to helping Rafal reach its recycling goals. He added that public participation will be central to making the project successful overall.
