The Councilor for Sustainability and Environment of the Andalusian Government, Catalina García, visited the start of the sealing works of the inert landfill in the municipality of Albox, an action that has an investment of 2.6 million euros, co-financed with European FEDER funds, 2021-2027 framework, within specific objective 2.7, rehabilitation of industrial areas and contaminated land. In this regard, the councilor has stated that this «is another example of the commitment of the Andalusian Government to this municipality in Almería, as well as to sustainable waste management and the improvement of natural environments.»
During the visit, Catalina García detailed that the absence of authorized treatment plants near urban areas has sometimes led to the uncontrolled development of construction and demolition waste deposits. In some of them, waste has been deposited without minimal technical control and without adopting the necessary environmental protection measures, thus becoming uncontrolled facilities and, therefore, requiring their closure and subsequent restoration to avoid negative environmental impacts.
In this case, she specified that the unsupervised dumping of waste in the Albox landfill has led it to be currently included in infringement procedure 2015/2192 of the European Commission, in compliance with the obligations derived from Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of November 19, 2008, on waste. In accordance with these provisions, the Department of Sustainability and Environment of the Andalusian Government, as one of the objectives established in the Integral Waste Plan of Andalusia (PIREC 2030) and in its continued support to the local entities of Andalusia, carries out this environmental restoration action in this degraded area to avoid environmental damage and ensure health requirements.
During the start of the works, Catalina García mentioned that the project execution was awarded last November, with a planned duration of 24 months, and when completed, the Albox City Council will carry out a Surveillance and Control Plan with a minimum duration of 30 years. «The sealing of the landfill will guarantee the environmental safety of the area, eliminating potential pollution sources and promoting the regeneration of the environment, among other measures, through the planting of more than 30,000 plants,» she added.
The landfill currently does not have any type of fencing to close its perimeter and covers an area of over five hectares, which the councilor specified as «approximately the size of five soccer fields.» Now, she continued, «these actions will reduce the environmental risks derived from the landfill, mainly in relation to potential water pollution or alteration, natural assets, and the safety of individuals.»
«This is a historical demand that the Andalusian Government is addressing. This project will help restore the ecological balance of Albox and its surroundings, improving the quality of life for residents and promoting a more sustainable development for the province of Almería,» she added.
Specifically, the most relevant actions to be carried out in the project will be the cleaning and conditioning of the landfill site; the placement of sealing layers, as well as the regulation of surface runoff drainage. Additionally, two containment stone walls will be built, and a revegetation intervention will be carried out with native species of the area, such as esparto grass, albardín, rosemary, or thyme. Furthermore, access to the landfill area will be restricted with a perimeter enclosure.
The councilor also emphasized the importance of this action within the framework of the environmental policies of the Junta. «The sealing of the Albox landfill not only improves the environmental quality of the area but also demonstrates our firm commitment to sustainable waste management, aligned with the objectives of circular economy and the protection of our natural resources,» she stated.
In this sense, the councilor wanted to highlight the environmental conditions that will be applied during its execution, such as the use of reused, recycled, or valorized materials quantified at 50% of the amount of artificial subbase aggregate, or 5% of the volume of fill materials such as gravels, sands, and soils, or the use of compost in the covering layer to ensure better revegetation.
Also present at the event were the Mayor of Albox, María del Mar Alfonso Pérez; the Vice Councilor for Sustainability and Environment, Sergio Arjona; the Secretary General of Environment and Climate Change, María López Sanchís; the Director General of Environmental Sustainability and Circular Economy, Carmen Jiménez, and the Territorial Delegate in the province of Almería, Manuel de la Torre, among other authorities.
Sustainable Development Goals
During the presentation of the works, it was emphasized that these types of interventions are part of the priorities of the Integral Waste Plan of Andalusia (PIREC 2030) and reaffirm the commitment of the Andalusian Government to the conservation of the natural environment, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Likewise, Catalina García recalled regarding investments in circular economy and waste management, that these will reach 137.97 million euros in 2025, according to the budgets of the autonomous community, representing an increase of 68% compared to 2024. These figures confirm «the effort of the Andalusian Government to improve waste management and promote a more sustainable model in Andalusian municipalities.» Catalina García emphasized the importance of this investment, mentioning that «municipalities continue to be the main beneficiaries of this new waste management model.»
Similarly, in 2025, grants allocated to municipalities will include specific funds for the acquisition of solid waste collection trucks, with a budget of 10 million euros, and 81.4 million for circular economy and waste management improvement. In this regard, she emphasized that through the PLA Plan, 7 million euros will be allocated to the construction of clean points, and through the PLANETA Plan (Andalusia Transfer Stations Plan), 2.9 million euros will be invested for the 2025 fiscal year.
Likewise, the budget includes 8.2 million euros for the sealing of landfills in various Andalusian localities. In this regard, the councilor mentioned those in the province of Almería. Specifically, in this province, the Department has already executed almost four million euros in cleaning works (Benahadux, 208,597 euros; Canjáyar, 102,212 euros; Sorbas, 141,915 euros; Tabernas, 143,733 euros, and Nacimiento, 178,185 euros). These actions are complemented by sealing and revegetation works in Bayarque (930,552 euros), Instinción (314,514 euros), Olula del Río (1,100,000 euros), Paterna del Río (494,680 euros), and Tabernas (326,980 euros).
Finally, she announced that the next planned actions will take place in Castro de Filabres (1 million awarded in September 2024), Líjar (in the tender process for 600,000 euros), Berja (in the tender for 1.8 million) and Cuevas del Almanzora. Currently, the restoration of other degraded areas in Bayarque, Uleila del Campo, and Lubrín is in the project drafting phase.