The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP); the councillor for Cleaning, Eloy Belmonte (Vox); the president of the Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol, Manuel Cardeña, and representatives from Urbaser presented three new collection lorries in Mijas on Monday. These vehicles will join the selective collection service for paper, cardboard and packaging in Mijas, Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Marbella, as part of the new contract awarded to the company. According to the council, these vehicles represent a significant step forward in efficiency, environmental sustainability and improvements to the public collection service in the municipality and across the Costa del Sol, where a total of 38 lorries will operate.

The new lorries are side-loading collection vehicles with a compactor body and are specially designed to operate in urban environments, combining high technical performance with a strong commitment to the environment.

 

Among their main features is the dual-fuel diesel–LPG hybrid engine system, which significantly reduces pollutant emissions. These vehicles also lower noise levels during operation, a particularly important consideration in urban areas.

The lorries are equipped with a system that enables the automated collection of bins of up to 3,200 litres, optimising working times and improving operational safety. The payload capacity is 18,762 kg, with a maximum authorised mass of 26,000 kg, offering high operational capacity for selective collection services.

 

During the presentation, representatives from Urbaser and the Association of Municipalities highlighted that the three new lorries would be put into service that very afternoon.

Continuous improvement

“This initiative reinforces our joint commitment to modernising the selective waste collection service, protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for citizens”, explained the mayoress, Ana Mata, who added that “work is underway to fit the bins with a device that indicates the amount of waste in the container, thereby improving efficiency when collecting them”.

For his part, Eloy Belmonte noted that “the arrival of these lorries was much needed, as side-loading bins had been introduced in recent months without the appropriate resources in place, which hampered the service in certain areas”. In this regard, he added that “from now on, not only is operational capacity improved, but also, with the new contract, collection frequencies will increase, something that will be particularly noticeable in urban centres and outlying areas”. He also pointed out that “these vehicles are fitted with weighing systems that provide a better understanding of recycling habits by area, allowing routes to be adjusted and the service to be strengthened where necessary”. Finally, the councillor emphasised the importance of community involvement, stressing that “improving the service also depends on the correct use of bins, especially in the case of cardboard, which must be deposited folded to make the most of the available capacity”. In the same vein, the mayoress of Mijas also called for public cooperation: “The commitment of residents to keeping the municipality clean is essential. She also reminded everyone that they are very vigilant "in ensuring that those who do not comply with waste regulations are fined by plainclothes police officers".

Recycling

For her part, Cardeña praised the “high” recycling rates achieved in Mijas, “as a 14% increase has been recorded thanks to public cooperation and the systems implemented by the Town Hall and the Association, such as this new fleet of lorries which reduces the carbon footprint on the Costa del Sol”, she reported.

With this new fleet, the authorities conclude, “we remain committed to technological innovation and sustainability as fundamental pillars of waste management, in line with European circular economy and emissions reduction targets".

 

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