The Costa del Sol's Recycling Rates Skyrocket: Why do Istán, Ojén, and Estepona Stand Out?

The recycling and circular economy goals are very demanding, according to European and national regulations. To summarize: the threshold for landfill of buried waste was supposed to be 40% by 2025; it is set at 20% by 2030 and 10% by 2035. Times are tight, and ahead lies the challenge of investments, waste management, and also civic awareness. The balance data from the past year in the 11 municipalities that make up the Western Costa del Sol Commonwealth are hopeful. The overall recycling amount exceeded the previous year by 1,300 tons.

Generally, there was a 3.39% increase in the collection in the yellow container and a 7.4% increase in the blue one. Thus, the Costa del Sol Environmental Complex, owned by the Commonwealth of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol and managed by Urbaser, received a total of 16,003 tons of packaging in 2025, compared to 15,494 the previous year. Regarding paper and cardboard, in 2025, 10,918 tons were collected compared to 10,166 in 2024, which represents an increase of 7.4%.

10,978

tons of paper and cardboard were collected last year.

"These data show that citizens are increasingly separating and sorting their waste better, increasing the percentages of selective collection. These figures are perfect indicators of our neighbors' consumption habits and reflect that the Costa del Sol maintains optimal recycling levels," states Manuel Cardeña, president of the Commonwealth, who emphasizes the importance of the aforementioned goals and dates.

Regarding the collection of lightweight packaging, Istán was the municipality with the highest increase, up 40% compared to 2024. It went from 40 tons to 55 in 2025. It was followed by Benahavís, with an increase of 7%.

The largest increase in the collection of paper and cardboard corresponded to Ojén, with an increase of 24% (from 67 annual tons to 83). Significant increases were also seen in Manilva, with a 20% increase, and Estepona with an 18%.

16,003

tons of packaging were recycled last fiscal year.

"The information and awareness campaigns about the importance of separation at home are yielding results, as well as the investment that the Commonwealth is making in renewing the container fleet," adds Cardeña.

Forecasts

The supramunicipal entity has already installed 28% of the new containers it plans to distribute in the eleven municipalities of the region, whose implementation began at the end of summer and is part of a strategy to reinforce selective collection and promote recycling in the area. To date, 25% of the yellow containers and 31% of the blue ones have been distributed, representing a significant advance in the deployment of this environmental infrastructure.

Estepona is the leading municipality in the implementation of the new containers, with 52% of the blue ones already placed, and 37% of the yellow ones. It is followed by Fuengirola, with 48% of the packaging containers already implemented, and 37% of the paper-cardboard ones. In third place is Mijas, which already has 36% of the planned blue containers, and 35% of the yellow ones.