Green Living in Málaga: How to Do Your Part – A Guide to Recycling

Help Malaga continue to be the vibrant and clean city you’ve come to love. In this article, you will be guided through some helpful tips when it comes to clean living.  How to recycle properly, shop locally and helpful tips during the water restrictions in Malaga.

Recycling in Malaga

Let’s start by digging into Spain’s recycling policies. After your arrival in Malaga, you might noticed many different coloured bins when throwing your trash out. Did you know that these colours work as labels? Each color signifies a specific category of recyclable material, guiding you and other citizens to a more sustainable living. On every bin there’s also text and pictures of what is appropriate to throw into them.

Here is a summary of the different bins;

  1. Blue: paperand cardboard.
  2. Brown: organic and compostable.
  3. Yellow: plastics.
  4. Blue: paper and cardboard.
  5. Green: glass.
  6. Black: general waste.

You’re not just sorting waste –you’re supporting Malaga’s commitment to green living.

Local Produce in Malaga

Thanks to Malaga’s warm climate, a diverse range of fruits and vegetables flourish year-round. While supermarkets offer fresh produce, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Malaga’s markets. For instance, just a 20-minute train ride away lies Torremolinos, where every Thursday hosts an outdoor market. At this market, you’ll find stands offering not only fresh fruits and vegetables, but also a range of goods, including clothing, toys, shoes, jewellry, and tools

Being a coastal city, Malaga boasts a bounty of locally caught fish, readily available at restaurants and supermarkets, displayed on iced counters.Not only gives you the best tasting experience when cooking your food, but it supports local fishermen and business in the areas.

If your interest is toward self-sufficiency, Malaga’s favourable climate gives you an opportunity to cultivate your own garden. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a smaller balcony, you can embrace gardening year-round. Growing your own herbs and vegetables allows you to have a fresh and readily available supply of flavourful ingredients for cooking, enhancing the taste and nutritional value of your meals.

In conclusion, by creating your own sustainable garden, you can reduce your reliance on markets while enjoying the satisfaction of growing your own food.

Water Restrictions in Malaga

Out of 365 days out of the year, 300 are without rain. This of course contributes to drought and forces the city to regulate water usage. Here are some helpful tips on how to deal with the water restrictions:

  1. Turn off taps. Be mindful of water use during daily tasks. Turn off the tap while shampooing, conditioning, or brushing your teeth to save water. Also, consider avoiding washing dishes under running water.
  2. Full laundry: Maximize efficiency by ensuring full loads of laundry each time. This reduces the frequency of laundry cycles and saves water.
  3. Don’t hose: For your outdoor activities, if it’s cleaning the porch, the car or watering your plants. Use a bucket with soapy water for cleaning, instead of hosing it. Even better would be to sweep away dirt instead of using water.
  4. Reuse your water: Rinse your clean dishes or vegetables over a bucket. The water can be used for watering plants, outdoor cleaning and even to refill the tank of your toilet.

Remember, every drop counts. By making these simple changes in your day, you’re not just saving water, but also playing a vital role in creating a sustainable future for Malaga.

Interested in more? Continue reading about Sustainable Living in Malaga

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