Calanova Golf residents demand recycling plant relocation after fires, noise and health fears

Residents of Calanova Golf Urbanisation took their long-running battle against a nearby recycling plant straight to the doorstep of Mayor Ana Mata at Mijas Pueblo town hall on Wednesday, 29 July.

Armed with whistles, banners, and raised voices, the group made sure councillors could not miss their message about noise, dust, smells and repeated fires that have made daily life intolerable.

Fires and expanding operations cause alarm

Five serious fires have already broken out at the site, which processes all of Mijas’ recycled cardboard. The most recent blaze in 2025 sent flames an estimated 40 metres into the air. Locals say that near the sewage works, the recycling centre simply shifted its main operations closer to their homes, bringing heavy machinery, clouds of dust and constant odours right up against residential boundaries.

Neighbours’ leader voices four-year struggle

Cesar, president of the neighbours’ association, has pressed authorities for action for four years. One resident told Euro Weekly News that guests and owners at the golf resort itself face a strict ban on noise before 8am, yet plant machinery fires up every morning at 7am.

Cesar described the impact in blunt terms: “We want them to respect the community living here a little more. Being the peaceful community we are, and of a certain age, this situation is untenable. With the judicial process, we have been going on for some three years already, and the recycling programme has just increased in that time. Compatibility is causing some big problems here, and we cannot put up with it anymore. The noise at 7am when they start every morning goes over 80 decibels, and that’s too much for any urban environment. There are clouds of dust and filth kicked up every morning that affect us all. These are leading to health problems, including skin irritations and coughs.”

Calls for distancing fall on deaf ears

He continued: “What we are asking for is the recycling plant to be moved to another site. We have been in talks with the council and recycling company, but to no avail so far, and we just feel ignored. We realise that the recycling plant needs to undertake its industrial duty, but at a site which does not affect the lives of those who live in the area.”

Health risks keep pressure on council

Protesters left the town hall determined to keep the pressure on Mijas Council. They insist the current location endangers the health and daily wellbeing of everyone living closest to the plant, and they show no sign of quietening until a safer alternative is found.