How To Sort Trash And Recycle In Spain

Granted, Spain might not be the golden child of recycling like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t responsibly dispose of your waste pretty easily. In fact, there’s a variety of recycling bins scattered around every city, town, and even small village. So why not take advantage of them? 

Sorted waste includes paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, wood, scrap metal, compost, hazardous waste, residual waste, and more. Let’s learn a little more about recycling in Spain, shall we?

Recycling In Spain: A Guide To Sorting Trash 

Here are some tips on how to sort trash and recycle in Spain:

1. Separate your waste into different categories: The most common categories for waste separation in Spain are paper and cardboard, plastic, glass, and organic waste.
   
   
2. Use the right recycling bins: Most public areas and residential buildings have recycling bins for each type of waste. The bins are usually color-coded to make it easy to identify which type of waste should go in each bin.
   
   
3. Rinse your recyclables: There's often debate around this question: "Should I clean items before recycling?"
   
   In essence, yes, but it doesn't need to be excessive. If the recycling material is extremely dirty, chances are it won't be recycled. “Unfortunately, contaminated materials have to be sent to the landfill, making your recycling efforts null and void.” However, they don't need to be meticulously washed with hot water and soap. The simple steps are to empty, rinse, and dry.
   
   So, before disposing of your recyclable waste, ensure to rinse it to remove any remaining food or liquid. This will help guarantee that the recyclable materials are clean and can be correctly disposed of.
   
   
4. Separate the components appropriately: A common mistake is leaving lids or plastic and paper foils glued to containers. In such cases, both materials undergo different recycling processes; if they aren't separated, recyclers send them for incineration because they can't be mechanically separated.
   
   Examples include yogurt cartons covered with cardboard or pasta boxes with transparent windows. Now the question arises, "Yeah, but how do I do it... it's so tightly bound...?". That's a good question! We can only try to separate them as best we can and avoid purchasing products that use this type of packaging. Despite appearing environmentally friendly due to cardboard advertising, these containers may be the opposite because they aren't recyclable unless consumers disassemble them.
   
   
5. Dispose of hazardous waste properly: Hazardous waste such as batteries, light bulbs, and electronic devices should not be thrown into regular recycling bins. Many municipalities have special disposal points or recycling programs for hazardous waste.
   
   
6. Compost your organic waste: Instead of throwing away your organic waste, consider composting it. Composting is an easy way to turn organic waste into nutrient-rich soil that can be used for gardening or landscaping.

What Types Of Recycling Bins Are In Spain?

In Spain, there are several types of recycling bins used to separate waste. Here are some of the common types of recycling bins in Spain:

Blue bin: This bin is used for paper and cardboard waste. It is usually blue in color and can be found in many public areas such as streets and parks.

Yellow bin: This bin is used for packaging waste such as plastic bottles, cans, and cartons. It is usually yellow in color and can also be found in public areas.

Green bin: This bin is used for organic waste such as food scraps and garden waste. It is usually green in color and can be found in many residential areas.

Gray bin: This bin is used for non-recyclable waste such as diapers, hygiene products, and other household waste that cannot be recycled. It is usually gray in color and can be found in both public and residential areas.



Glass bin: This bin is used for glass waste such as bottles and jars. It is usually green or white in color and can be found in public areas and residential buildings.

It is important to note that the rules for recycling and waste disposal may vary from region to region in Spain, so it is recommended to check with local authorities for specific guidelines. 

How To Dispose Of E-Waste In Spain

Recycling Centers: Many municipalities have recycling centers where you can drop off your e-waste. These centers usually accept a wide range of electronic devices, including computers, phones, and televisions.

Retailers: Some electronic retailers offer e-waste recycling programs where you can bring in your old devices for proper disposal. Check with your local electronics retailer to see if they offer this service.

E-waste pickup services: Some municipalities offer e-waste pickup services for residents. Check with your local authorities to see if this service is available in your area.

Manufacturer take-back programs: Some electronics manufacturers have take-back programs where they will dispose of your old devices for you. Check with the manufacturer of your device to see if they offer this service.

Here is a map where you can find some options to recycle your electronics.

How To Recycle Batteries In Spain

According to Spanish law, all producers are obligated to manage the collection and disposal of the batteries, accumulators, and battery packs they've sold to end-users in Spain.

However, the reality often diverges from this mandate. While recycling batteries isn't straightforward, it's not impossible. Below, we present several options:

Battery bins in supermarkets: You can throw away used batteries in special bins in most supermarkets or markets. Most of the time, these small bins are situated at the main entrance.

Collection points: Many municipalities or retailers have battery collection points where you can drop off your old batteries. For example, dyson receives any type of batteries, including AA, AAA, 9v and rechargeable batteries and accumulators of cordless vacuum cleaners and other electrical or electronic devices.

Postal service: In some regions, you can recycle your old batteries by sending them through the postal service.