Commercial collection and big producers

Introduction

In Barcelona, all shops, and businesses in general, generate waste that needs proper management. The amendment to Law 6/93, the law regulating commercial waste in towns and cities in Catalonia, came into force on 1 January 2004 and all business establishments and services have had to meet the new requirements regarding waste since then. The City Council has deployed a collection service aimed at regulating the collection and sorting of this waste, while giving priority to certain issues:

• Sorting of different types of waste and recycling
• Adaptation to the specific needs of each production centre
• Differentiation, depending on the district, between residential systems and systems for business activities
• Adjustment of charges to production in real terms, while encouraging selective disposal

Commercial waste is the waste generated by:

• Shops
• The hotel industry
• Bars and restaurants
• Offices
• Services: hospitals, schools, etc.

Regulations, commercial waste declaration form and charges

Regulations

The amendment to Law 6/93 regulating waste in Catalonia has been in force since 1 January 2004. It regulates the waste generated by business activities. The owners of businesses that produce or possess waste are responsible for and must pay for its management.

All owners of waste generating business activities in Barcelona can use the municipal collection system as determined by quantity and/or district, or manage it through a carrier authorized by the Agència de Residus de Catalunya (Waste Management Agency of Catalonia) and approved by the City Council. In these instances documentary proof of the management system must be provided.
With the new regulations, the waste tax becomes an official charge.

Commercial Waste Declaration Form (Declaració de Residus Municipals Comercials)

In order to adjust charges to the amount of waste actually generated, and apply reductions, the Commercial Waste Declaration Form must be filled out. All businesses generating commercial waste are required to fill in a waste declaration form when initiating their activity or within two months of the time the relevant municipal regulations come into force.

While the Waste Declaration Form still does not cover all business activities, the official charges will be calculated as follows:

• For business activities that do not generate waste in volumes greater than 900 litres/day, i.e. small and medium producers: depending on the size of the premises and type of business activity.
• For business activities that generate over 900 litres per day of organic and general waste, or over 900 litres per week of paper, cardboard and glass: the total amount is calculated either by the number of containers or wheelie bins used, by volume or weight of waste collected, or by the number of containers requested.

It is compulsory to fill in the Waste Declaration Form. If this form is not filled in, it is assumed that the company voluntarily makes use of municipal services, and the volume of waste generated will be based on an estimate in order to levy the official charges in accordance with the established coefficients.

Instructions for filling in the Waste Declaration Form (Declaració de Residus Municipals Comercials, DRMC)

The DRMC has three sections.

• Section I is to be filled in by the City Council and contains the particulars of the accountable party, i.e. the individual or legal entity responsible for the activity and for any charges to be paid.
• Section II is to be partly filled in by the City Council and contains the information identifying the activity.
• Section III contains information on the generation of waste:
  
  • organic and general (amount produced daily);
  • paper and cardboard, glass and plastic (amount produced weekly);
  • Household Waste and Recycling Centre (number of visits per year).

Most guilds and trade associations in the city are well informed and can help you to fill in the form.

For more detailed information, enquire at a citizen's advice bureau (Oficina d'Atenció al Ciutadà, OAC).

Charges

The current pricing scheme encourages the sorting of different types of waste for reuse and recycling. Therefore, the charges for collecting general waste (which cannot be reclaimed) are higher than for other waste.

All shops, offices and businesses that may benefit from municipal services are obliged to pay, unless they can prove their waste is collected by a carrier authorised by the Junta de Residus (Waste Management Board) and approved by the City Council.

Exemption from charges:

• Newly built premises belonging to the individual or entity promoting the building, which are unoccupied and have no water, electricity or gas supply as yet.
• Parties responsible for commercial waste-generating activities who can prove that all types of waste generated are delivered separately to a carrier authorized by the Agència de Residus de Catalunya and approved by the City Council.
• Business activities that generate industrial waste which is not listed as municipal waste.

How charges are calculated

The amount is determined by the waste declaration made by the business owner. If no waste declaration form has been submitted, it is calculated as follows:

• For business activities that produce less than 900 litres per day of organic and general waste, the amount is calculated according to the surface area of the premises (basic rate), and the type of activity as listed according to the IAE (business tax) classification
• For business activities that generate over 900 litres per day of organic and general waste, the total amount is calculated either by the number of containers or wheelie bins used, by volume or weight of waste collected, or by the number of organic waste containers requested.
• For business activities that generate over 900 litres of paper, cardboard and glass per week: the total charge is calculated by the number of containers requested.

Incentives and reductions

a) Reductions for collection of different types of waste by approved private companies. The rates charged for the service may be subject to reductions, provided that the shops or businesses in question can prove that they themselves manage the selective collection of different types of waste, through carriers approved by the Agència de Residus de Catalunya and Barcelona City Council, or through integrated systems.

The type of reduction depends on each of the types of waste collected selectively.

Proof of collection of different types of waste by approved private carriers may be submitted throughout the year, and the reduction is applied in the following year.

b) Reductions in official charges due to participation in collaboration programmes within the framework of the Acord Cívic (Civic Agreement).

Businesses and shops belonging to guilds or associations that have signed the Acord Cívic (Civic Agreement) and participate in collaboration programmes enjoy a 10% reduction on the resulting charges.

c) Seasonal activities

Seasonal activities that require a permit to occupy public space enjoy a 50% reduction on the corresponding tax, provided that the activity lasts a maximum of six months.

What services do retailers have to offer when marketing home appliances and consumer electronics?

Under the new European directive regulating rights and obligations in the area of the proper management of electrical and electronic waste, collection of old appliances (*) must be offered free of charge to the buyers of new, replacement products.

(*) List of home appliances and electronics:

Large electrical appliances
Small electrical appliances
Computers and telecommunications devices
Consumer electronics devices
Lighting devices
Electrical and electronic tools
Toys, sports and leisure kit
Medical devices
Monitoring and surveillance instruments
Vending machines

Recommendations for different commercial activities

Below are some recommendations for improving the management of waste generated by different activities in the city.

Recommendations of a general nature:

• The best waste is no waste. Avoid unnecessary packaging, buy rationally, use reusable materials.
• Recycle as much as possible.
• Leave waste inside the containers, never outside.
• Respect the established times for throwing out waste.
• Remember that businesses can arrange collection either through city services or by contracting the services of private carriers approved by Barcelona City Council.

Recommendations for specific activities:

BARS AND RESTAURANTS

Organic waste: its separation is compulsory, both in areas covered by commercial waste collection and areas covered by household waste collection.

This separation is also compulsory in the case of large waste producers.

Cardboard boxes should be treated the same as cardboard in general:

• In commercial waste collection areas, put them out on collection days at the established time.
• In areas without commercial waste collection, fold them up and put them in the blue containers in the street.
• The Household Waste and Recycling Centres in the city or the one in Mercabarna can also be used.

OFFICES IN GENERAL: BANKS, ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRES, OFFICES, ETC.

Barcelona City Council encourages what is referred to as the environmental conditioning of offices and organisations. This implies:

• A commitment to environmental protection
• Savings in energy and materials
• A reduction in waste
• Better-quality working conditions
• A plus for the organisation's public image

For all these reasons it is necessary to work to improve waste management processes. Although it takes an effort to change certain habits, this can lead to significant improvements.

In the office: put waste paper in bins set aside exclusively for this purpose. Make sure that the office cleaning company respects the designated waste management model and does not mix paper with other office waste. The City Council proposes different models of waste paper and cardboard management depending on the amount produced and the district.

As regards non-recyclable waste (the so-called general waste), the following guidelines should be followed:

• Leave it inside the containers, never outside.
• Do not throw it out before 8 p.m.

As for other special kinds of waste (such as fluorescent tubes, batteries and toner cartridges), take these to one of the city's Household Waste and Recycling Centres. Make sure that the office cleaning company respects the separation of waste and manages each type separately and correctly. It is advisable to include environmental clauses in office cleaning contracts to allow progress in the separation of office waste.

On this page you will find the "Oficina Verda" (Green Office) programme that the City Council is developing internally: Oficina Verda

GREENGROCERS

Organic waste: its separation is compulsory, both in areas covered by commercial waste collection and areas covered by household waste collection.

This separation is also compulsory in the case of large waste producers.

As regards plastic and wooden boxes, there are different disposal options:

• They can be returned to the waste and recycling centre at Mercabarna the following day, before loading more fruit and vegetables.
• They can be taken to one of the city's Household Waste and Recycling Centres.
• They can be returned to the supplier.
• They must not be left in the street next to containers.

Cardboard boxes should be treated the same as cardboard in general and disposed of in the following ways depending on the area:

• In commercial waste collection areas, put them out on collection days at the established time.
• In areas not covered by commercial waste collection, fold them up and put them in the blue containers in the street.
• In Waste and Recycling Centres around the city or the one in Mercabarna can also be used.

FISHMONGERS

Organic waste: its separation is compulsory, both in areas covered by commercial waste collection and areas covered by household waste collection.

This separation is also compulsory in the case of large waste producers.

Expanded polystyrene boxes: boxes that contained fish can be returned to the Waste and Recycling Centre at Mercabarna the following day, before loading more fish.

These boxes must not be left in the street next to containers.

TOBACCONISTS

Cardboard boxes: The company Logista, which supplies the majority of boxes for tobacco, offers to take away used boxes, empty and conveniently folded, when delivering the following consignment of tobacco.

This system of reverse logistics has been promoted by the City Council, Logista and the Asociación de Expendedores de Tabacos y Timbres de Barcelona y Provincia (Association of Sellers of Tobacco and Postage Stamps of Barcelona and Provinces), within the context of the Civic Agreement for a clean and sustainable Barcelona. It makes it possible to:

• Reclaim and recycle 100 % of tobacco boxes
• Reduce the amount of waste in the street

Other ways of disposing of cardboard:

• In commercial waste collection areas, put it out on collection days at the established time.
• In areas not covered by commercial waste collection, fold it up and put it in the blue containers in the street.
• It must not be left in the street next to containers.

FURNITURE SHOPS

Old Furniture: old furniture cannot be left randomly on the streets. A good practice is to coordinate the delivery date of new furniture to customers with the day assigned to the free collection of furniture and junk (call 900 226 226 for details). This service could be provided by shops on behalf of customers, by organising the procedure before delivering the furniture.

If it is not possible to deliver on a collection day, the permanent Waste and Recycling Centres should be used. Within the framework of the Civic Agreement, shops that belong to the Gremi de Comerç de Mobles (Furniture Retailers' Guild) enjoy a discount of 50 % on the charges at Household Waste and Recycling Centres, prior presentation of the ID card provided by the guild.

MATTRESS SHOPS

Old mattresses cannot be left randomly in the street. A good practice is to coordinate the delivery date of mattresses to customers with the day assigned to the free collection of furniture and junk (call 900 226 226 for details).

This service could be provided by shops on behalf of customers, by organising the procedure before delivering the mattresses. If it is not possible to deliver on a collection day, the permanent Waste and Recycling Centres should be used. Within the framework of the Civic Agreement, shops that belong to the Gremi de Matalassers (Mattress Retailers' Guild) enjoy a discount of 50% on the charges at the Waste and Recycling Centres, prior presentation of the ID card provided by the guild.

HOME APPLIANCE SHOPS

Old electrical appliances should be taken to a waste and recycling centre.

Packaging: The large amount of packaging used for electrical appliances must be disposed of correctly:

Cardboard packaging:

• In commercial waste collection areas, put it out on collection days at the established time.
• In areas not covered by commercial waste collection, fold it up and put it in the blue containers in the street.
• Cushioning material, such as expanded polystyrene, can be taken to a Waste and Recycling Centre.

SUPERMARKETS

In general, supermarkets are considered to be large waste producers.

For information about specific waste management, see the sections on greengrocers, fishmongers and so on.

GARAGES

Virtually all waste from garages is considered special. It must be treated properly. For this reason it is recommended to:

• Contract a company specialised in integrated waste management or, if not, contract out its management to different specialised companies.
• Use the Waste and Recycling Centres without exceeding the limits on the amounts of these materials, as stipulated by the regulations.

FLORISTS

The remains of plants and flowers are organic waste and the separation of the organic fraction is compulsory, whether in commercial waste collection areas or in residential waste collection areas.

This separation is also compulsory in the case of large waste producers.

LOCKSMITHS

Bulky objects or junk cannot be left randomly in the street.

A good practice is to coordinate the delivery date of new material to customers with the day assigned to the free collection of furniture and junk (call 900 226 226 for details).

This service could be provided by shops on behalf of customers, by organising the procedure before delivering the material.

If it is not possible to deliver on a collection day, the permanent Waste and Recycling Centres should be used. Within the framework of the Civic Agreement shops that belong to the Gremi de Serrallers (Locksmiths' Guild) enjoy a discount of 50% on the charges at the Waste and Recycling Centres, prior presentation of the ID card provided by the guild.

CONFECTIONERS AND BAKERIES

Organic waste: its separation is compulsory, both in areas covered by commercial waste collection and areas covered by household waste collection.

This separation is also compulsory in the case of large waste producers.

SCHOOLS

The Municipal Institute of Education of Barcelona (IMEB) coordinates different types of selective waste disposal in schools.
Among other activities, it coordinates the separation of organic and general waste: the separation of the organic part is compulsory in both commercial and household collection areas.

This separation is also compulsory in the case of large waste producers.

HOSPITALS

Hospitals must comply with the Catalan regulations covering the management of different types of waste.
As regards types of waste managed by the City Council, remember that most hospitals and clinics are considered large waste producers and hold the obligations described in the corresponding section.

Organic waste: if the hospital is a large waste producer, it must be sorted using containers on the premises. Separation is compulsory, both in areas covered by commercial waste collection and areas covered by household waste collection.

Cardboard boxes should be treated the same as cardboard in general:

• In commercial waste collection areas, put them out on collection days at the established time.
• In areas not covered by commercial waste collection, fold them up and put them in the blue containers in the street.
• The Waste and Recycling Centres around the city or the one in Mercabarna can also be used.

CHEMISTS

Expired medicines: these are disposed of using the SIGRE container system.

Chemical and other special waste: The City Council and the Col·legi de Farmacèutics (Association of Chemists) have provided for its delivery to Waste and Recycling Centres around Barcelona on specific dates. The association has more detailed information about this possibility.

VETERINARY CLINICS

Dead animals: the City Council has a service for the collection of dead animals, regulated by official charges.

OFFICE CLEANING COMPANIES

• Office cleaning companies must respect the separation of waste carried out in offices, and dispose of each part correctly.
• If an office does not sort its waste, it is worth encouraging it to do so and explaining the best method, by recommending, for example, the use of selective wastepaper bins and a space set aside for sorting.
• In no case should waste be deposited on the street before 8 p.m. or after the last waste collection vehicles have gone by.
• It is advisable to include environmental clauses in office cleaning contracts to allow progress in the separation of office waste.