Sustainability in efficient management of urban waste (GERU): The case os Spanish cities [Sustentabilidad en la gestión ecoeficiente de los residuos urbanos (GERU): Caso de municipios españoles]

Abstract

This article analyzes the exogenous factors that influence the eco-efficient urban waste management (EUWM) in a qualitative manner through in-depth interviews with the politicians in positions of power as well as administrative staff about sustainable development, eco-efficiency and sustainability. The interviews were carried out in the Spanish municipality of Sant Cugat, chosen because of its high level of eco-efficiency according to the sample analysis of 143 Spanish municipalities (Diaz, 2009). What is shown is that education and tourism are the two exogenous factors that influence the EUWM. The combination of socio-economic factors and the management gives us a positive outlook of the regional development of the Spanish municipalities.