LLEIDA, Catalonia – Four in ten residents across Lleida province, approximately 40% of the population, now use either door-to-door waste collection or smart bins requiring identification. These efficient waste management models are expanding, according to data from the Catalan Waste Agency (ARC).
Door-to-door collection serves around 132,000 residents in 93 municipalities, primarily in smaller towns within Segarra, Urgell, Segrià, and Pallars Sobirà. The latest additions to this system, implemented in February, include four towns in Pallars Jussà (Pobla de Segur, Salàs, Talarn, and el Pont de Claverol), Bellpuig in Urgell, and 16 localities in Les Garrigues, which introduced the system gradually under the regional council's guidance. L'Albagés uses its own model, incorporating artificial intelligence, while Les Borges Blanques will join in June.
Smart bins, which require residents to identify themselves to deposit waste, are used by over 62,000 residents in 46 localities. These are mainly found in Noguera, with 30 municipalities, and Alt Urgell, with 10. Other areas include Gósol in Berguedà, Riu de Cerdanya, Montellà i Martinet in Cerdanya, and Vilanova de Bellpuig, Sidamon, and el Palau d'Anglesola in Pla.
Solsonès Adopts Tailored Systems
The Solsonès Regional Council plans to introduce smart containers in most of its municipalities. However, Sant Llorenç de Morunys, la Coma i la Pedra, and Guixers will use a 'bespoke' door-to-door system, designed to fit each locality's specific needs. This tailored approach is also in place in Solsona city, Torà, and Biosca. Torà and Biosca, though, still operate under an agreement signed before they moved from the Segarra region to Solsonès.
In Lleida city, door-to-door collection is less widespread, currently serving only about 3,000 residents in Ciutat Jardí and Vila Montcada.
Mollerussa Improves Waste Separation
Mollerussa saw its selective waste collection reach 47% in 2025, an improvement from 45.27% the previous year. This was revealed in the waste balance report presented by the town council. The report also showed a 7.7% increase in total waste generation, amounting to 7,894 tonnes.
Mayor Marc Solsona highlighted that the 'residual' waste fraction still accounts for 52% of the total, far from the theoretical target of 16%. This disparity leads to penalties and increases the cost of the service. Solsona also explained that current service concessions end this year. The town council and regional council will look at new mixed collection systems to reduce the residual fraction and optimise costs. Additionally, the council will double the frequency of intensive cleaning for container islands, moving from monthly to fortnightly cleaning.
