Minister of Durability and Environment Andalusia Board, Catalina Garcíavisited Initiating the inert deposit work in the municipality of Albox, an action with an investment of 2.6 million eurosCo-financed with European funds Feder, Framework 2021-2027, in specific objective 2.7, rehabilitation of industrial and contaminated lands. In this regard, the minister indicated that this is another example of the commitment of the Andalusian government to this city of Almería, as well as to Durable waste management and improvement of natural environments.
During the visit, Catalina García detailed that the absence of treatment plants near urban centers sometimes led to the development of construction and demolition waste deposits. In some of them, the waste has been disposed of without minimal technical control and without taking the necessary measures for environmental protection, becoming uncontrolled facilities and therefore requiring their closure and restoration to prevent negative impacts.
In this case, she specified that the disposal of waste in the US was maintained at the Albox reference point is currently included in the violation procedure of the European Commission 2015/2192, by applying the obligations derived from the 2008/98/98/98 EC to the European Parliament and the Council, on 19 November 2008, concerning waste. In response to these provisions, she continued, the Ministry of Durability and Environment of the Andalusia Board, as one of the objectives established in Andalusian waste comprehensive plan (Pirec 2030) and in its continued support to the local entities in Andalusia, carries out this action to restore the environment in this degraded area to avoid environmental damage and ensure health requirements.
During the beginning of the works, Catalina García mentioned that the project execution was awarded in November of last year, with an expected duration of 24 months and upon completion, the local council of Albox will achieve The surveillance and control plan which will have a minimum duration of 30 years. «The sealing of the landfill will ensure environmental safety in the area, eliminating potential sources of pollution and promoting environmental regeneration, among other measures, planting over 30,000 plants,» she added.
The current landfill has no perimeter fence and covers an area of over five hectares, which the minister specified as «equivalent to the size of five football fields». She continued, «These actions will mean reducing environmental risks arising from the landfill, primarily in terms of potential pollution or water alteration, natural assets, as well as human safety.»
«It is a historic statement that the Andalusian government must address. This work will contribute to Restoring 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 taken in the project will be the cleaning and conditioning of the site; The provision of sealing layers, in addition to drainage adjustment. Also, two isolation leak walls will be constructed and a revegetation intervention with indigenous species in the area, such as esparto, albardina, rosemary, or thyme. Additionally, access to the waste area will be limited by the perimeter enclosure.
The minister also emphasized the importance of this action within the environmental policies of the Board. «The waste drought in Albox not only improves the environmental quality of the area but also demonstrates our Firm commitment to durable waste management aligned with the objectives of Circular economy and Protection of our natural resources,» she said.
In this regard, the minister wanted to appreciate the environmental conditions that will be applied during its execution, such as the use of reused, recycled, or evaluated materials in 50% of the artificial sugar quantity or 5% of the volume of filling materials, such as gravel, sand, and soil, or the use of compost in the cover layer ensuring better revegetation.
Present during the visit were the mayor of Albox, María del Mar Alfonso Pérez; Deputy Minister of Durability and Environment, Sergio Arjona; Secretary General of Environment and Climate Change, María López Sanchís; Director General of Environmental Sustainability and Circular Economy, Carmen Jiménez, and the territorial delegate of the province of Almería, Manuel de Torre, among other authorities.
Sustainable development goals
During the presentation of the works, she emphasized that these types of interventions are classified in the priorities of the Andalusian waste comprehensive plan (Pirec 2030) and reaffirms the commitment of the Andalusian government to the conservation of the natural environment, aligned with the Sustainable development goals.
Additionally, Catalina García recalled the investments in circular economy and waste management, which will reach 137.97 million euros by the year 2025 as reflected in the regional budgets, representing a 68% increase compared to 2024. She 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 for municipalities will include specific funds for the purchase of urban collection trucks, with a budget of 10 million euros and 81.4 million in circular economy and waste management improvement. In this line, she highlighted that through the PLA plan, 7 million euros will be allocated to the construction of clean points and, through the planet plan (the Andalusian transfer plan), 2.9 million euros will be invested by 2025.
The budget also provides 8.2 million euros to seal waste deposits in various Andalusian locations. At this time, the minister mentioned those in the province of Almería. Specifically, in this province, the ministry has already carried out nearly four million euros in cleaning works (Benahadux 208,597 euros; Canjáyar 102,212 euros; Adra 141,915 euros; Tabernas 143,733 euros and Nacimiento 178,185 euros). To these actions, we must add the sealing and restoration work in Bayarque (930,552 euros), Institución (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 following planned actions will be carried out. Castro de los Filabres (1 million granted in September 2024), Líjar (In the bidding process for 600,000 euros), Tabernas (in auction for 1.8 million), and Cuevas del Almanzora. Currently in the drafting restoration phase of other degraded areas in Bayarque, Uleila del Campo, and Líjar.