Sustainable Development
An example of compatibility
Elche is an example of compatibility between economic activity and respect for the environment and natural surroundings.
Elche has several EcoparksProof of this are the Municipal Environmental Audit, the implementation of the Environmental Action Plan and the consequent Monitoring and Control Plan, the signing of the Aalborg Treaty and Elche’s inclusion in The European Sustainable Cities and Towns Campaign, which make it possible to face the development of Local Agenda 21 as a tool for combining social and economical interests in relation to nature.
The management of urban and industrial waste in the area is a priority. For this reason Environmental Education campaigns are being launched, whose results can be seen in the high levels of recuperation of materials such as paper, glass and metals.
Elche is an example of compatibility between economic activity and respect for the environment The recycling and composting plant of the Baix Vinalopó Waste Consortium, with a capacity for 450 tonnes, provides a collection service for domestic waste separating organic and non-organic materials. Moreover, there are also controlled areas for the disposal of building materials and inert industrial waste, and at the same time Ecoparks are being developed in different parts of the municipal district to allow citizens to deposit specific types of waste.
The sensibility which these questions arouse in citizens and the Local Authorities has been the basis of the rapid creation of bylaws which regulate subjects related to the urban environment such as noise and vibration, pollution emissions, ownership of pets and water drainage.
Cycle laneAnother action carried out to attain the high social welfare and environmental levels desired is the promotion of public transport, with the aim to improve mobility and reduce energy consumption. Moreover, where urban transport is concerned, there are various vehicles with a fuel pre-treatment unit installed to reduce polluting gas emissions (especially CO2).
There is a constant drive towards other non-polluting methods of transport, such as bicycles, by means of the creation of a more than 9km long cycle lane which allows you to cross the urban nucleus of Elche as well as access teaching centres and industrial areas.
