White Paper on Sustainability of Spanish Urban Planning -- 5.0 Reduce waste

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White Paper on Sustainability of Spanish Urban Planning
José Fariña Tojo, José Manuel Naredo (directors)

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5.0 Reduce waste

5.01. Foster selective collection and separate sewerage networks
In many areas this is already being done in a general way. However, it is not always included in regulations. This is probably due to the difficulty in giving details of each specific locality. Again, this principle relates more to local regulations (of an ordinance) than general ones. It is, however, possible to enforce selective waste collection on a less local level, and encourage the use of operative sanitation networks in guides and recommendations.

5.02. Users' proximity to collection systems
Again, this principle is a question of urban design. This should not stop maximum permitted distances between housing and collection points from being established. In any case, it is common practice in urban planning in Spain not to consider waste collection systems, except in the case of pneumatic waste collection systems. This practice must change as the balance between convenience for users, noise and discomfort, and ease of access for collection lorries must be thought out in the initial stages of town planning. Of course this is difficult not only to achieve, but also to maintain long term.

5.03. Promote reserves for composting and plant-waste processing
In certain types of home (e.g. detached houses with gardens) the problem of plant waste, especially during the pruning season, is usually left unresolved. The solution must be found during the planning stage, as floor space is needed for composting and waste treatment. Recycling is advisable so that the same thing can be achieved in surrounding areas, so that waste production routes are not lengthened unnecessarily.

5.04. Use systems to reuse wastewater
The use of half-purified water is not without controversy, because of the potential effects on public health if due caution is not taken. However, most of the state and autonomous legislation does assign this the importance it warrants. It is vital to provide legislation on these cautions and not to use waste water in an indiscriminate way (especially when it comes to watering plants). Urban planning should also include the relevant plans for the reuse of waste water. This should be included in the regulations.

5.05. Foster recycling and reuse
It might seem that this is simply another case of stating good intentions. However, it is necessary to qualify this statement to give it some kind of meaning. There are several ways to achieve this, from subsidies to fines.

Discussion

These criteria include the Spanish State, the Canary Islands, Cantabria and the Basque Country. We can say that in general, the autonomous regions who have introduced legislation on issues relating to these criteria have done so in practically all the points that have been considered, and those that they have not yet included do not relate to any of the points. Only four autonomous regions considered the principle of promoting reserves for composting and plant-waste processing, while the generic principle (considered this way) of fostering recycling and reuse is the one that is most commonly mentioned in the various codes of regulations. The disparate nature of most of the criteria that have been considered so far is even more apparent in the present section, so that it seems necessary to unify them, as otherwise significant discrepancies may arise between autonomous regions. When it comes to global sustainability, a common objective must be aimed for. This observation, arising from the analysis carried out to date ought not to be restricted to the Spanish state, but should be applied on a European and global level as well. This would probably involve considering relatively few criteria so that they may be agreed upon and clearly defined, measured with common points that indicate whether all parties involved in overseeing the procedures share a common aim. The need for coordination becomes more apparent with analysis, especially in relation to environmental issues that cannot be confined within the boundaries of an artificially-defined administration. Given that the concept of sustainability that we are dealing with does not differentiate between the three pillars which form the basis for study of this subject, both issues of natural capital, and social and economic aspects must be coordinated to ensure the same goal is obtained.