Congratulations are due for the conscientious residents of Costa del Sol, who recycle more effectively than anyone else in Andalusia, and, for that matter, anywhere else in Spain, according to 2024 selective waste collection data.

Manuel Cardeña, president of the Mancomunidad de Municipios (commonwealth of municipalities) de la Costa del Sol, has announced that the region’s recycling ratios for light packaging and glass way overpass regional and national averages.

In 2024, the Mancomunidad collected 15.5 million kilos of light packaging, equating to 29.26 kilos per inhabitant annually, compared to the 14.40 kg average in Andalusia and the 20.40 kg average throughout Spain. This was made possible by 4,049 yellow containers, one per 131 residents. Glass recycling also excelled, with 14.9 million kilos collected, or 28.24 kilos per inhabitant (that’s a lot of wine), against 15.30 kg in Andalusia and 19.10 kg in Spain, made possible by 3,514 green containers (one per 151 residents).

Cardeña praised the region’s leadership in transforming waste into resources, thanking residents for their awareness and efficient management and the contractor, Urbaser. He gave special stress to ongoing efforts to further improve these exemplary recycling rates, benefiting both the environment and local economy.

Marbella’s local police have just started up a three-month pilot project equipping officers with ten body cameras capable of transmitting real-time footage to the force’s control and command centre.

Mayor Ángeles Muñoz announced the plan, showing off the council’s commitment to improving officer safety and operational efficiency through the latest technology. The bodycams, with an eight-hour battery life, add an extra level to Marbella’s existing network of over 360 fixed CCTV cameras.

Muñoz said that annual budget allocations will ensure police are equipped with the most state-of-the-art resources. Initial tests carried out during Easter week demonstrated the system works well, with footage adding to the central control system to provide vital evidence and comprehensive oversight of operations. The mayor said that the project bolsters the city’s security framework.

The local police’s technological unit contributed to developing the system so that the bodycams offer officers maximum mobility and real-time visuals during interventions like checkpoints, accidents, or patrols in high-density traffic areas. There are said to be plans to extend the technology to firefighters and civil protection, hoping to better coordination and emergency response efficiency. The innovation marks a significant step in modernising Marbella’s public safety operations.

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Mallorca’s most famous son, Rafael Nadal, the legendary tennis star who retired in November 2024, was awarded the prestigious Laureus Sports Icon Award on Monday, celebrating the culmination of his most illustrious career. 

The 38-year-old, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, was recognised for his extraordinary contributions to tennis and sports.

Nadal’s remarkable career included an individual Olympic gold in Beijing 2008, a doubles gold in Rio 2016, five Davis Cups, two Laver Cups, and the 2008 Prince of Asturias Award, among many others. After the awards ceremony, discussing the honour, Nadal recalled his first Laureus Award in 2006 as Breakthrough of the Year and following recognitions, including two World Sportsman of the Year titles and an award for his foundation.

‘2024 was an emotional year,’ Nadal said, talking about his fondest memories like carrying the Olympic torch in Paris. ‘Tennis and sports have given me everything. My drive was always to compete and give my all on the court.’ He expressed deep gratitude to his family and team for supporting his 25-year journey, which began at the tender age of ten, calling it ‘an unforgettable and beautiful adventure’ that exceeded his wildest dreams.

Nadal was born into a sporting family in 1986 in Manacor. One of his uncles had been a professional football player RDS Mallorca and the other a professional tennis player.