The Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol Gives a Second Life to Its Waste Containers

The Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol is taking part in the “CIRCLE®: Second Life for Containers” initiative, promoted by CONTENUR. The objective of the programme is to manufacture new containers using recycled material obtained from units withdrawn due to deterioration.

This action is part of the agreement signed between Urbaser, the company awarded the waste management service, and CONTENUR, through which the company commits to reusing and recycling the plastic containers removed from the various municipalities in the region, incorporating the recovered material into the manufacturing of new units.

In its first phase, the project will enable the recycling of 3,000 yellow containers. Torremolinos will be the municipality contributing the highest number of withdrawn units (953), followed by Mijas (737), Estepona (584) and Fuengirola (558).

The President of the Association, Manuel Cardeña, noted that the institution is currently engaged in a major renewal process of its container fleet, which will reach 6,361 units. “We are not only renewing the fleet, but doing so responsibly, by reusing deteriorated containers to produce the new units that will be installed. A clear example of circular economy that helps us move towards a more sustainable future,” he highlighted. 

CIRCLE® Project: Circular Economy from the Very First Step

The CIRCLE® programme reflects CONTENUR’s strong commitment to sustainability, built on three pillars: extensive use of recycled materials, efficient resource management, and compliance with the highest environmental standards.

The process begins with the removal of deteriorated containers by Urbaser, which transfers them to its facilities in Casares and Mijas. There, the units undergo treatment that includes cleaning, separation of components, and preparation of the material for shipment to an authorised recycler. Once processed, the recycled material is delivered to CONTENUR’s facilities, where it is used in the production of new models.

Manufacturing is carried out under ecodesign criteria, using 100% renewable energy and applying the recommendations of the Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) programme to minimise any potential loss of plastic pellets into the environment. Additionally, the CIRCLE® project ensures full traceability from the container’s withdrawal to its reincorporation as raw material.

CIRCLE® is not a one-off action, but the structural model through which CONTENUR drives its circular economy approach, aiming to manufacture containers that are 100% recyclable at the end of their useful life, while minimising environmental impact to the greatest extent possible.

Learn about the CIRCLE® Project