Sant Cugat, a benchmark in recycling
Sant Cugat is a Catalan town with more than 50,000 inhabitants that stands out for its high level of recycling. According to a study by the Catalan Institute of Statistics, 98.6% of households in Sant Cugaten claim to separate some type of waste, a figure higher than the Catalan average of 95.9%. In addition, Sant Cugat is the second city with the highest ratio of selective collection. These data highlight the success of the recycling policies implemented in the city.
Reduction of generated waste
During the year 2021, Sant Cugat generated 40,810 tons of urban waste, a figure significantly lower than the more than 59,000 tons recorded in 2009. Despite the increase in the population, the amount of waste generated has decreased significantly in the last years This trend is due to awareness measures and waste reduction policies implemented in the city. This is reflected in the average kilos of waste per inhabitant and per day, which has gone from 2.43 in 2004 to 1.19 in 2021 (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en- Catalan/). This figure is one of the lowest in Catalonia and demonstrates the efforts of the Sant Cugat population to reduce their ecological footprint.
Recycling on the rise
Another noteworthy aspect is the increase in recycling in Sant Cugat in the last twenty years. In 2000, only 7% of the waste generated in the city was separated, while in 2021 this figure reached 51.8% of selective collection (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en -Catalan/). This means that more than half of the waste generated in Sant Cugat is recycled by its inhabitants. This figure places Sant Cugat as the 7th municipality in the region and the 411th in Catalonia with a higher selective collection percentage (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/). In addition, Sant Cugat is the second city of more than 50,000 inhabitants with a higher selective collection rate, surpassed only by Girona.
Types of recycled waste
The people of Sant Cugat recycle different types of waste. In 2021, 2,273 tons of glass, 3,349 tons of paper and cardboard, 2,157 tons of light packaging, 7,225 tons of organic matter, 2,470 tons of pruning and gardening, 1,496 tons of bulky and 2,160 tons of other waste According to the study by the Catalan Institute of Statistics, glass is the most recycled material by the people of Sant Cugat, while the organic fraction is the one that is recycled in a smaller proportion. This diversity of recycled waste demonstrates the involvement of the population of Sant Cugat in the preservation of the environment.
conclusion
Sant Cugat is an example to follow in terms of recycling in Catalonia. With a high level of awareness and the implementation of effective policies, the city has managed to reduce the amount of waste generated and increase the percentage of selective collection. This task is the result of the joint effort of the population of Sant Cugat and the local authorities. Sant Cugat shows that it is possible to reconcile urban growth with the preservation of the environment.