What’s Changing with Rubbish Fees?

From April 2025 all towns and cities in Spain will have to increase rubbish collection fees by 150%. This is following a European directive to reduce waste and improve recycling. Some areas like Oviedo have already increased their fees by 80% but the rest of Spain will catch up soon.

Why is this happening?

The increase is part of the European Union’s plan to reduce environmental impact and encourage recycling. Currently, Spanish residents only pay about 40% of the real cost of waste collection and treatment. By 2025 fees will have to cover the full cost, of collection, transport, and treatment. The idea is to make waste producers pay for their environmental impact, following the ‘polluter pays’ principle.

Who will be affected?

Everyone will be affected, both property owners and tenants. In some areas like Madrid, residential buildings were previously exempt from these fees but that will change. Tenants should review their rental agreements as they may soon have to pay the rubbish fee directly which could increase the rent. Each town and city will adjust the fees according to the amount of waste produced, so recycling will be more important than ever.

How will the fees be calculated?

Each town or city will have its own method of calculating the fees, taking into account factors like property size, occupancy, and maybe even water usage. Some areas will introduce personalized waste containers to track the usage, while others will calculate the fees by neighborhood. Cities might also offer reduced fees for households that compost or recycle more.

The average annual cost of waste disposal for a household has been calculated at around €92 and for a business at around €120. It is not clear if the bill will be based on each individual household or if it will be based on the average cost of the town’s waste disposal overall.

What about vulnerable households?

There are no official exemptions or reductions for vulnerable households yet but some areas might introduce support for those in financial difficulties. Check with local authorities for updates on this.

What should tenants and landlords know?

Clarify in the rental agreement who will pay the rubbish fees. The law says tenants usually pay but landlords might include clauses to shift this responsibility. Clear communication will avoid confusion.

Summary

Spain is adapting to new European waste management rules, rubbish fees will go up. Recycling and reducing waste will be the way to manage this. Stay tuned for local updates to see how this affects you.

Do you agree with the upcoming rubbish fee hikes in Spain? How do you think they’ll impact your household or rent? Will it make you recycle more? Share your thoughts, concerns, or suggestions in the comments below!

Main image: Shutterstock/Jose HERNANDEZ Camera 51