Viladecans and Torrelles de Llobregat lead the fight against plastic waste

The Catalan municipalities of Viladecans and Torrelles de Llobregat have taken a decisive step forward in the fight against plastic pollution with the implementation of innovative measures that could set a new standard at the European level. As part of the Elevating Reuse In Cities (ERIC) project these municipalities are adopting bold strategies to drastically reduce plastic waste.

Initiatives include making use of surplus food using reusable packaging, reducing disposable diapers and menstrual products, and creating a rental service for reusable crockery and glasses. These efforts not only seek to reduce pollution, but also promote a circular and sustainable economy.

Innovation in waste reduction

In Viladecans, an ambitious Plastics Prevention Program has been approved and will be launched during the second year of the ERIC project. The measures include the reduction of single-use plastics in shops and educational centers, as well as the prevention of marine plastic litter. Encarni Garcia, deputy mayor of the Environment and Sustainability Area, underlines the importance of these actions: “The Plastics Prevention Program is important because it allows us to make progress in an orderly manner in the reduction of plastics in a soil use. Less plastic in the environment means more health for people and for the life of our ecosystems.”

In Torrelles de Llobregat, the measures include the establishment of channels to take advantage of surplus food with reusable containers and the creation of a service for renting reusable crockery and glasses for events. Mayor Ignasi Llorente affirms: “We are firmly committed to informing and raise awareness among citizens regarding the environmental and human health problems caused by the consumption of plastics. The Plastics Prevention Plans of the ERIC project and the Municipal Waste Prevention Plans serve as a guide and help us with work planning and economic planning.”

Long-term impact

These pioneering measures not only have an immediate impact on the reduction of plastic waste, but also serve as a model for other European municipalities. Manon Jourdan, manager of the ERIC project, highlights the importance of these efforts: “Accepting the costs of plastic pollution is something that municipalities have no reason to do. On the contrary, as the extensive plans drawn up in these two municipalities show, local communities can take several key actions that contribute to protecting the local environment from plastic pollution, reduce the volume of waste generated and help save costs for local bodies. The Viladecans and Torrelles de Llobregat plans set an important precedent for others to follow throughout Europe.”

With the support of Rezero, an expert entity in waste prevention, these municipalities are demonstrating that it is possible to implement significant changes at local level that contribute to the transition to a zero-waste economy.

Alba Cabrera, Director of Studies at Rezero, adds: “From Rezero we are convinced of the potential of the local world in contributing to the transition towards zero waste, this is especially visible when there is political will and technical training. When a municipality commits to zero waste, in this case plastic prevention and reuse, and commits to this local and global goal, it adopts a direction and a philosophy to educate the public. We encourage the municipalities to join this indispensable change, which in the short and medium term will bear fruit.”

A future free of plastics

The Viladecans and Torrelles de Llobregat Plastics Prevention Plans have a temporary scope of 4-5 years, during which several actions will be carried out that will be monitored and evaluated to guarantee their effectiveness. These initiatives mark a clear path towards reducing dependence on single-use plastic products and promoting reuse systems that protect the environment and improve the quality of life of citizens.

With this determination and commitment, Viladecans and Torrelles de Llobregat are not only leading the fight against plastic waste in Catalonia, but are also laying the foundations for a waste-free future in Europe.

Note the situation

The generation and management of plastic waste is a problem that covers all sectors of society and is associated with serious impacts on the natural environment and people’s health. Plastic waste, especially single-use plastic packaging, continues to increase year after year, far from the reduction targets set by European, state and Catalan legislation. According to data from the European Union, a 19% increase in plastic packaging waste is expected by 2030 across the EU, compared to 2018, if waste reduction policies are not implemented. The selective collection of plastic waste and the current recycling techniques are insufficient and present great limitations to efficiently collect and treat the large amounts of plastic waste generated.