Rate for rubbish collection will increase by 15% in Palma

Rate for rubbish collection Palma

COLLECTION: Households will pay an average of €3 every two months. Credit: Emaya.

THE rate for rubbish collection will increase by 15% in Palma next year, which will mean that a household will pay an average of €3 every two months.
The Board of Directors at Emaya, the public services company whose function is to manage water supply, collection of waste and street cleaning, made the announcement after a meeting to discuss budgetary forecasts for 2020. They justified the modification of the rate so that the municipal company can increase their revenue by approximately €4 million.
At present, Emaya allocates €23 million for waste collection, although the actual cost of the service is reported to be €29 million.
The rate of rubbish collection has not changed since 2013, although the service has been heavily criticised over the past few years for its poor operation.
At the next board meeting, which is expected to be held in December, the change of rate and its distribution among different categories will be approved. Through this, a rate will be established for homes and offices, one for shops, and another for bars and restaurants, which will also vary depending on if they serve food or not.  
Palma City Council has also revealed that it will contribute €7.5 million to Emaya to balance their books by the end of the year. Ramón Perpinyà, Councillor for the Environment and President of Emaya, explained that much of the company’s deficit is due to an increase in water purchases due to drought, which this year increased by €2.7 million.
Perpinyà also explained that there has been an increase in staff expenditures throughout the year to cover overtime and the hiring of temporary employees. He assured that there has been no salary raises for senior officials and much of the expenses covered repairs to the company’s fleet, water pipelines and insurance payments.

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Isha Sesay

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