According to data collected by Goiena from the Commonwealth, a total of 104 incidents of container burning have been registered from 2021 to date, resulting in 280 damaged containers. This has led to economic losses amounting to 306,158 euros.

Last year, 2023, was the most severe, with 42 incidents that damaged 119 containers and incurred costs of up to 131,990 euros. Aretxabaleta recorded the highest number of cases, although similar incidents have also occurred in Arrasate, Eskoriatza, Bergara, and Elgeta. Over a five-year period, Arrasate has experienced the most container fires.

The Commonwealth president emphasized the importance of citizens understanding the scale of this problem. He noted that with over 200 collection points across the valley, ensuring surveillance at all of them is extremely challenging.

Tests have also been conducted with containers equipped with automatic fire suppression systems, but these were found to have “low effectiveness and high cost.” With this option discarded, one of the measures adopted has been to replace plastic containers with metallic ones, despite the higher economic implication: the average price of a plastic container is 940 euros, while a metallic one costs 1,759 euros. Furthermore, as explained by Elkorobarrutia, metallic containers have other limitations: “They make noise and, for example, are not very suitable for organic waste.”

Thirty-nine metallic containers have already been installed, but to replace all paper and light packaging containers, an additional 442 would be needed. The Commonwealth has discussed the issue with EH Bildu and EAJ, highlighting it as a social problem, and has called for greater public awareness.