In recent months, Madrid residents have increasingly discussed the problem of dirty streets. The issue of urban cleanliness has returned to the spotlight after the city’s mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, admitted that the situation with street cleaning has noticeably worsened. City officials have decided not to delay finding a solution and announced an expansion of the workforce responsible for keeping the streets clean.
In the near future, an additional 300 people will join the existing municipal cleaning staff. Moreover, every district will have a special team operating around the clock and responding to requests from local deputies. According to the city administration, this step should help resolve the most pressing garbage and cleanliness problems more quickly.
Special attention is being paid to commercial areas, where, according to city hall representatives, waste removal issues are most frequent. The main reasons cited are failure to follow the collection schedule and overflowing bins, which cause unpleasant odors and spoil the city’s appearance. Authorities plan to launch an informational campaign for business owners to remind them of the proper rules for waste management.
Debate in the city council
The issue of street cleanliness has sparked heated debates among different political groups. The opposition points out that despite increased cleaning budgets and new contracts, the state of many neighborhoods still leaves much to be desired. Photos of overflowing bins and garbage on sidewalks regularly surface on social media, fueling criticism of the city authorities.
In response to these accusations, officials cite statistics: in recent years, the number of sanitation workers has grown significantly, and investment in the sector has risen by almost 50%. Nevertheless, many residents continue to experience delays in garbage collection, especially in areas like San Blas-Canillejas, where waste can remain on the streets for several days.
Contracts and compliance
Some council members argue that the main cause of the problem is a lack of oversight on contract enforcement with cleaning contractors. According to them, if the companies responsible for cleaning strictly followed the terms of their agreements, the city would be much cleaner. City officials, for their part, insist they are doing everything possible to improve the situation and will not tolerate violations.
Despite disagreements, all sides agree that keeping the metropolis clean requires ongoing attention and additional resources. In the coming months, Madrid residents will be able to see how effective the new measures are and whether hiring more workers leads to noticeable changes on the city’s streets.
