ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Alicante is employing 100 extra street cleaners in a bid to smarten up the city, which has become notorious for its dirty streets.

In 2023 Alicante was named one of Spain's dirtiest cities along with Palma and Seville in a consumer group survey that polled 6,863 residents in 69 locations.

In July this year, protestors dumped black bin bags filled with rubbish in Alicante's City Hall Square to show their frustration at the city's poor street-cleaning service. The demonstration was organised by the Alicante Clean Coordinator whose members claimed to be frustrated about cleanliness levels.

"The protest is because of the state of filth we've been seeing for seven years," said CAL secretary Paloma Valverde.

City mayor Luis Barcala has now announced plans to tackle the issue by means of a major recruitment programme. The 100 extra members of staff being employed will facilitate enhanced cleaning services across each of the city's districts, he says.

"We have made important improvements in cleaning but we want to do more," said Barcala. "The plan will create a better cleaning service for weekends, the intensification of washing in areas that require it and the introduction of a phone app where residents can report incidents."

The mayor also revealed that five new inspectors are being hired to ensure that cleaning is up to scratch. And a job bank will be created to allow temporary staff members to be brought in swiftly to cover any absences.