Salt Tackles Waste Tourism with ID Checks

The town of Salt in Catalonia is preparing to require identity verification for access to public waste containers, in response to a surge in illegal dumping from neighbouring Girona. This 'waste tourism' has intensified since Girona introduced smart bins in neighbourhoods like Can Gibert del Pla and Santa Eugènia de Ter, pushing non-residents to dispose of their rubbish in Salt instead. Local police have increased patrols due to complaints about littering and illegal waste abandonment, prompting the Ajuntament de Salt to take action.

New Waste Collection Contract in Development

Salt has launched a technical tender worth €92,507.64 to design a new waste collection and street cleaning service, expected to launch in summer 2027. The winning consultancy will define the technical and economic model, calculate investment needs, and draft tender documents for the full contract. This follows a February feasibility study awarded to Spora, which is assessing the most efficient waste collection system for the town.

The goal is to replace open-access containers with high-efficiency systems that identify users.

The current contract with Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas, worth €7.9 million, ends on 14 July 2027 if its optional extension is used.

Modelling Girona's Mixed-System Approach

Salt is studying Girona’s hybrid model, introduced between 2024 and 2025, which combines door-to-door collection, communal bins, and temporary drop-off areas. Different zones follow different collection schedules, and user identification is required to open smart bins. Salt aims to adapt a similar system to local conditions, addressing both efficiency and cross-border misuse. The technical support team will evaluate how to tailor these methods to prevent non-residents from exploiting the system.

Residents and businesses in Salt should expect changes to waste disposal procedures ahead of the 2027 rollout. The town council will publish further details as the tender process advances.

Reported by apdnoticies.com, APD Noticies.