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The Costa del Sol is setting the bar when it comes to recycling in Spain. New data from 2024 reveals that residents along this stretch of coast are not only separating their waste more effectively than their Andalusian neighbours — they’re also beating the national average.
Costa del Sol plastic recycling rates outperform Spanish average
According to the latest figures released by the Mancomunidad of Western Costa del Sol, local residents recycled more than 15.4 million kilos of light packaging in 2024. That works out to 29.26 kilos per person, significantly higher than the 14.4 kg average in Andalusia and 20.4 kg across Spain.
This success is supported by the installation of over 4,000 yellow bins across the region — roughly one for every 131 residents — making it easier for people to do the right thing.
Costa del Sol glass recycling rate twice as high as Andalusian average
It’s a similar story when it comes to glass. The Costa del Sol recorded nearly 15 million kilos collected last year — or 28.24 kilos per person, nearly double the Andalusian average of 15.3 kg, and well above the Spanish national average of 19.1 kg.
With 3,514 green glass containers installed, that’s one per 151 inhabitants, helping to ensure bottles and jars are ending up in the right place.
While the region is also outperforming the Andalusian average in paper and cardboard recycling, it slightly trails behind the national average. Last year, over 10.1 million kilos were collected, which comes to 19.2 kilos per resident. That’s ahead of Andalusia’s 13.7 kg, but just below Spain’s 19.6 kg benchmark.
Still, local officials are pleased. Manuel Cardeña, president of the Mancomunidad, says these numbers confirm the region’s commitment to sustainable waste management. “The results show that residents here are not only aware, but also actively participating in keeping the Costa del Sol cleaner and greener,” he said.
With more bins, more awareness and more results, the Costa del Sol is showing the rest of Spain how it’s done — one sorted bin at a time.
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