The Gernika-Lumo City Council continues its commitment to facilitating organic waste separation, with 726 residents now using the compostable bag collection service. This system, implemented in 2016, has 835 people registered for organic matter collection, of whom 726 have used the compostable bag vending machine at the Kultur Etxea.
The system promotes the use of brown bins for selective collection of organic waste. To assist households, free compostable bags are distributed via a machine located at the entrance of the Kultur Etxea. Approximately 80,000 bags are expected to be distributed annually.
Separating organic waste benefits not only the environment but also municipal finances. The cost of managing one kilogram of organic waste is nearly half that of mixed waste. As stated by Jon Lejarraga, the Environment Councilor, "correctly separating organic waste is a shared responsibility and an opportunity to make waste management more efficient".
Furthermore, users registered with the HAZ (Citizen Attention Office) receive a code to access the machine. The council has recently awarded a new two-year supply contract to maintain this distribution.
