The new waste collection model in neighborhoods with smart containers: in service at all times and for all waste fractions

GironaThe city of Girona has begun implementing a new waste collection system using smart containers. From now on, there will be a separate container for each type of waste, and residents can dispose of their waste any day of the week and at any time of day. An identification card is still required to open the containers.

Throughout the first quarter of 2026, a container for each waste stream will be placed in all container areas. Implementation has begun in Santa Eugenia and will continue progressively through Can Gibert del Pla, San Narciso, Torre de Taialà, Domeny-Plan de Domeny-Taialà, Fontajau, Devesa-Güell, San Ponç, Pedret, Puente Mayor, Palacio-Sacosta-Avellaneda-Mas Xirgu, Una Cruceta, Carme-Vista Alegre, Vila-roja, Mas Ramada, Grupo San Daniel, Figuerola-Bonastruc, Mercadal, Eixample, and the rest of Pla de Palau-Sant Pau. In total, 1,130 containers will be installed.

Thus, all areas with smart containers will consist of a yellow container for packaging, a blue one for paper and cardboard, a brown one for organic waste, a green one for glass, and a gray one for everything else (including sanitary textiles). The mayor of Girona, Lluc Salellas, highlights the advantages of the new waste collection model: "This improvement with smart containers allows for greater flexibility in the system and makes waste management easier for residents. It's a simple system that allows people to throw their trash in the appropriate container at any time."

Environmental educators to answer questions

The implementation is accompanied by an increased presence of environmental educators in the neighborhoods to explain how the new system works, answer questions, and distribute cards if needed. In addition, municipal police patrols monitor the areas with the new containers to issue fines of up to €600 to residents who leave garbage bags outside the containers.

Smart cards are used to apply bonuses and penalties.

In this new model, smart cards for opening containers will remain because they allow the city council to track each user's recycling rate and, consequently, implement the pay-as-you-throw system, which incentivizes responsible waste management. "You will still need to use the card to open the containers to apply the pay-as-you-throw system. Residents who use the system correctly will be able to pay less in the 2026 tax," the mayor stated. For example, the bill calculation includes bonuses for those who open the container more than 24 times a year and penalties for those who only use the general waste container.

Door-to-door improvements

Meanwhile, the Girona city council has implemented improvements to the door-to-door collection system, which is used in sparsely populated areas. Since January, residents have had access to a larger bucket for pruning waste, replacing the raffia sacks.

The frequency of pruning waste collection varies throughout the year depending on the growth cycle of the plants and trees. Residents who do not yet have containers for pruning waste can request them and pick them up at any of the four locations.Waste Management Support Officesthat are in the city.

On the other hand, neighborhoods with door-to-door collection will have more emergency areas where residents can dispose of organic waste and residual waste in urgent situations. This way, residents will have a collection point like this closer to home.

Flexibility in the Barri Vell and the Mercadal

Regarding the temporary collection points in Barri Vell and Mercadal, the number of days for depositing all types of waste was extended in December. The City Council thus made this system more flexible to make it easier for residents and address one of their most frequent requests.

Pioneer city

Girona has been the largest Catalan city to implement this change. Being pioneers has presented challenges, but with the improvements now in place and citizen collaboration, the waste recovery targets are achievable.

This model of closed containers, along with the door-to-door system, is the future of waste collection to achieve European recycling targets: reaching 70% selective collection by 2030. In Girona, the progress is already noticeable: we have gone from 51.5% to 58% selective collection, thanks to the involvement of the citizens.