Innovative initiative in the industrial estate
The Valls City Council has taken a significant step in the fight against illegal dumping by installing four surveillance cameras in the industrial estate. This measure, implemented about a month and a half ago, aims to identify offenders and improve waste management in the area.
Since their activation, the cameras have allowed for the opening of 17 sanctioning files, already surpassing the 15 processed throughout the year 2025. This increase in sanctions reflects a growing concern about the negative impact that these dumpings have on the municipality's image and its local economy.
Andreu Gassó, councillor for Sustainability and the Environment, has pointed out that there has been an alarming increase in illegal dumping over the past year. “We have noticed an excessive increase in dumping,” said Gassó, who also highlighted that this problem not only affects the aesthetics of the area but also generates significant costs for waste management.
In response to this situation, the council reorganised the waste collection system, reducing the 52 scattered points to only seven strategic locations with adequate capacity. Despite these improvements, there has been an 11.5% increase in the remaining fraction of waste generated specifically in the industrial estate.
In addition to the cameras, awareness actions have been implemented to inform citizens about current regulations and the legal consequences of non-compliance. Informative banners detailing the clean point hours and free services for the collection of bulky items have been placed at each collection point.
Fines can reach up to 6,000 euros, depending on the severity of the offence committed, especially if it involves hazardous waste or if it is a repeated infringement. Enric Garcia, councillor for Citizen Security and Civil Protection, emphasised that these measures are essential to ensure a safe and clean environment within the industrial estate.
Local authorities are considering expanding this system not only within the industrial estate but also to other urban areas. Garcia mentioned plans to install automatic license plate readers at the entrances of the municipality as an integral part of the effort to better control access and prevent environmental crimes.
As this year 2026 progresses, Valls remains committed to improving its strategies against poor waste management and invites all its citizens to take shared responsibility in this vital cause for public health and community well-being.
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