- Orihuela’s municipal company SGM begins organizing its workforce for waste collection, street cleaning, and coastal road maintenance.
- Up to eight job categories are open for selection, including operational, administrative, and technical roles.
- New fleet additions include five advanced waste collection trucks, improving capacity and efficiency.
- SGM will have a total staff of approximately 200 employees, many transferred from previous municipal services.
- Investment includes €1.2 million for new trucks and nearly €300,000 planned for smaller vehicles, supporting year-round service adaptability.
Orihuela’s SGM Kicks Off Staffing and Upgrades Waste Collection Services
Orihuela’s municipal company Servicio de Gestión Medioambiental SL (SGM) is officially building its team and upgrading its waste management infrastructure. Following its recent mandate as the official manager for urban solid waste collection, street cleaning, and coastal road maintenance, the company is actively recruiting and modernizing its fleet to enhance service quality.
Structured Recruitment for Effective Service Delivery
Published recently in the Alicante Provincial Official bulletin, the call for recruitment covers up to eight different roles to support SGM’s operations. This includes:
- Operational roles: Creating an employment pool for maintenance workers to service coastal roads, a function launched on July 11, 2025.
- Administrative roles: Four temporary administrative positions to manage the paperwork and coordination tasks behind the scenes.
- Technical leadership: Positions responsible for economic-financial management,public procurement,human resources,and technical office oversight.
- Environmental supervision: Four senior technicians focusing on education and environmental control.
- General management: Appointment of a manager, a post ratified by the city council and entrusted to Dámaso Aparicio, a former councilor and current adviser to the government team.
In total, SGM expects to assemble a workforce of around 200 people.Most frontline workers, such as collectors and street cleaners, are set to be transferred from the existing municipal staff under the solid waste and street cleaning department, which has been providing municipal services for over a decade.
Fleet Modernization to Boost Efficiency and Worker Safety
This week, the mayor’s office unveiled four new solid waste collection trucks for the Orihuela Costa area. Funded by the municipality with an investment of €1.2 million, these trucks replace an aging fleet plagued with frequent breakdowns. The new vehicles include:
| Truck Type | Capacity (m³) | Loading Style | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| rear-loading compactor | 18 | Rear | 2 |
| Side-loading compactor | 26 | Side | 2 |
A fifth truck will join the fleet next week, further enhancing collection capacity. According to Rocío Ortuño, the Councilor for Solid Waste, “These vehicles not onyl increase collection capacity and decrease service times but also improve working conditions for operators, which is a top priority.”
advanced features such as compacting systems and GPS technology allow for optimized route planning, resulting in more efficient and timely waste collection. During peak tourist season, all five trucks will be deployed in Orihuela Costa, a high waste generation zone. In off-peak months, three trucks remain dedicated to the coast while two reinforce collections in the surrounding districts.
Future Investments and Expansion Plans
The municipality plans to invest further in its waste management fleet, with six smaller trucks currently in the bidding phase.This additional purchase, expected to cost about €300,000, will provide greater adaptability and improve service in smaller zones or hard-to-reach areas.
what This Means for Orihuela Residents
- Enhanced waste collection services: More reliable and efficient pickups should reduce litter and improve overall cleanliness.
- Improved coastal maintenance: With dedicated maintenance teams now in place, road and street upkeep along the coast will be more consistent.
- Job creation: New employment opportunities across various skill levels, from field operators to technical experts.
- Modern infrastructure: State-of-the-art trucks will reduce downtime and environmental impact.
these changes reflect Orihuela’s commitment to improving environmental management and public services amid growing population and tourism demands, particularly in the coastal zones.
More Information & Recruitment Details
Residents interested in the open positions or learning more about SGM’s services can visit the official announcement on La verdad.
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