Separate waste collection

The term separate waste collection (in Spanish, recogida selectiva) refers to the practice of separating waste at source according to its type and composition, so that each fraction can later be prepared for reuse, recycled or treated appropriately.

It is an essential building block of the circular economy, because it allows useful materials to be recovered, reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill and lowers the overall environmental impact of waste management.

In the European Union, separate collection is driven by the Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC), as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/851 and, more recently, by Directive (EU) 2025/1892, which adds mandatory separate collection and extended producer responsibility for textiles and binding food-waste reduction targets. In Spain these obligations are transposed mainly through Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soil for a circular economy.

Objectives of separate waste collection

1. Increase recycling and the reuse of materials.
2. Reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill.
3. Cut greenhouse gas emissions linked to waste disposal.
4. Save natural resources and energy.
5. Help meet EU circular economy and recycling targets.

Types of separate collection in Spain

In Spain, separate collection is organised mainly through colour-coded containers, complemented by dedicated channels for special waste streams:

Yellow container

• Waste: light packaging (plastic, cans, beverage cartons).
• Destination: packaging sorting and recycling plants.

Blue container

• Waste: paper and cardboard.
• Destination: paper mills for recycling.

Green container

• Waste: glass.
• Destination: glass recycling plants (cullet).

Brown container

• Waste: biodegradable organic matter (food scraps, garden waste).
• Destination: composting or anaerobic digestion plants.

Grey or residual container

• Waste: the non-recyclable fraction or waste not separated at source.
• Destination: mechanical-biological treatment plants or landfill.

Complementary systems

• Civic amenity sites (clean points): for special waste such as batteries, used oil, WEEE and paints.
• Door-to-door collection: deployed in municipalities seeking high separation rates.
• Bulky-item and textile collection: through municipal services or agreements with social enterprises.
• Deposit-return schemes (DRS) for reusable or single-use beverage containers.

Applicable rules and targets

European Union

• Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC, amended by Directives (EU) 2018/851 and (EU) 2025/1892.
• EU Circular Economy Action Plan (2020).

Spain

• Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soil for a circular economy.
• Royal Decree 1055/2022 on packaging and packaging waste.
• National and regional waste management plans.

Obligations and milestones

Under the current legislation:

• All municipalities must provide separate collection of bio-waste (in place since the end of 2023 across the EU).
• Separate collection of textiles and household hazardous waste became mandatory from 1 January 2025.
• Member States must recycle 55% of municipal waste by 2025, 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035.

Benefits of separate collection

Environmental

• Lower emissions from landfills.
• Conservation of natural resources.
• Reduced soil and water pollution.

Economic

• Job creation in the recycling sector.
• Lower disposal costs.
• Revenue from the sale of recovered materials.

Social

• Greater public awareness.
• Community participation in local management.

Current challenges

1. Contamination of fractions caused by sorting mistakes at home.
2. Lack of consistency between municipalities and regions.
3. Limited rollout of the brown container in some areas.
4. Need for digitalisation and traceability of waste flows.

Relationship with the circular economy

Separate collection is the first operational link in the circular economy: it determines the quality of the materials that enter recycling processes. It helps keep materials in the productive cycle, reduces the extraction of virgin resources and supports innovation in ecodesign and advanced recycling. It also underpins extended producer responsibility schemes.

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