Mijas police step up rubbish patrols as residents complain about dumped waste

Police in the Spanish town of Mijas are intensifying their efforts to combat illegal dumping following a surge in resident complaints about unsightly rubbish strewn across the town. Authorities are focusing their patrols on areas where illegal dumping is frequently reported, with officers keeping a watchful eye out for abandoned rubbish bags, discarded furniture, rubble, and other waste materials left in public spaces, on roads, and in vacant lots.

Local Police councillor Juan Carlos Cuevas emphasized that the majority of Mijas residents are law-abiding citizens who value clean neighborhoods, but he stressed that those who improperly dispose of their waste should not disrupt the efforts of the law-abiding majority. Recent wildfires that have ignited near Cerrado de Aguila and el Faro, areas experiencing construction activity, have heightened the urgency for the police to take decisive action against illegal dumping.

Mijas Local Police reported 38 proposed sanctions in a single month in February, targeting dumped rubble, furniture, household items, and uncollected waste left outside permitted times or unauthorized locations. To avoid fines and the inconvenience of an improperly discarded item, residents are advised to arrange proper waste collection through the municipal waste service, adhering to the designated collection instructions.

Authorized waste disposal points in Mijas include the Punto Limpio in La Cala de Mijas and the Costa del Sol municipal association's new management system for handling the facility, which became operational in June 2026. It is crucial for individuals to recognize that building rubble, garden waste, and other specialized materials must not be tossed into regular household bins or abandoned on rural roads.

By following these guidelines, Mijas residents can collectively maintain a cleaner, safer environment for the entire community.