Barcelona’s metropolitan area is failing its recycling exam. Only six of the 36 AMB municipalities reach the EU’s 55% selective collection target for 2025.
The six passing towns are Tiana, Santa Coloma de Cervelló, Corbera de Llobregat, Torrelles de Llobregat, Sant Just Desvern, and El Papiol. The remaining 30 fall short. Some barely collect 30% of waste selectively.
The worst performers include Cervelló, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Sant Adrià de Besòs, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Badalona, and Sant Andreu de la Barca. None reach even 30% selective collection.
Ten-year plan to tackle crisis
Metropolitan frustration over recycling has prompted AMB to design a ten-year plan. The authority projects ten new facilities prioritising organic waste. Additionally, ten existing plants will be renovated to intensify prevention.
The roadmap costs an estimated €637 million. AMB must share implementation with the Catalan Waste Agency and the Generalitat. “We’re backing a new infrastructure model with two key ideas,” explained Guille López, AMB’s climate action councillor (Comuns), at the Gavà-Viladecans sorting plant (SEMESA).
“Prioritise prevention and adapt eco-parks to improve organic matter handling,” he added.
The plan comes as waste generation slightly increased. Barcelona area residents now produce 422.4kg per person annually, up from 421.7kg previously. The rise stems from population growth.
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