There are green, yellow, blue and red bins for recycling, which are now joined by the brown bin, or fifth bin for recycling organic matter, which makes up 40% of the total waste in landfill sites. A container for which the Autonomous Community is going to transfer 15 million euros to the town councils so that they can install them in their streets.
The recycling rate in the Region is close to thirty percent; a figure that is still far from the target set for 2035: only 10% of our waste can go to landfill, according to Francisco Marín, Director General for the Environment.
The implementation of the fifth container will be a challenge for the region’s local councils. In the case of the municipality of Yecla, it will be included in the new rubbish collection contract, according to the councillor for Public Services, Ascensio Juan, as the current contract expires next April.
With regard to awareness-raising, the Community has launched a pilot project in ten schools with canteens and school gardens. This experience will be extended to the rest of the schools in the region.
But what waste can we put in the brown bin?
Food waste: nut shells, fruit and vegetable shells, bones, meat, fish, bones, egg shells, bread, coffee grounds, seafood shells, leftover food and expired food.
Plant waste: non-woody pruning waste, weeds, branches, flowers, leaves, grass…
Paper waste: soiled napkins, tissues or kitchen paper, and compostable bags.
Other materials: sawdust, cork stoppers, sticks and ice-cream sticks.