Answering your doubts

The available space can be rearranged by using bins with internal compartments for different types, by properly folding cardboard and paper, or by using the same container to store paper-cardboard (at the bottom, tightly folded) and glass (on top, inside a bag), and then separating them when taking them to the bin.

For communities that have concierges/caretakers/cleaning or waste collection personnel, we recommend they put in place a procedure to make it easier to differentiate the bags with the different types of waste.

For example, by using a different colour bag for each type: yellow for containers, brown or black for organic waste and any other colour (blue, green, purple, etc.). for the other types of waste. Or they can agree with the residents on a code for marking the bags: an “X” for the non-recyclable bag, an “O” for the organic bag and an “E” for the packaging bag.
In any case, the contents can be identified by the weight of the bag if the separation is done properly because the organic bag will be heavier than the rest.

Recommendations for community concierges/caretakers/cleaning or waste collection personnel:

• Make sure that the waste bags are tightly closed before placing them in the relevant community bins.
• Take out the community bins only at the scheduled times. 1 hour before the truck passes by for daytime collection or after 10 pm (for night-time collection).Establish on a weekly basis which days to remove each type of waste:
  Organic waste should be taken out daily (to avoid bad smells), as the collection is daily.
  Packaging, four days a week, on collection days for this type in each district.
  The “non-recyclable” type is collected daily; however, as it does not contain biodegradable waste and its volume is now smaller after the organic waste is removed, it can be taken out less frequently.

The important thing is to place organic waste in a bag, to prevent bad odours and dirt accumulating in the bin.

It is not obligatory to use biodegradable or even compostable bags, but it is highly advisable. As they more breathable, they prevent the liquids contained in organic matter (leachates) from accumulating, making them easier to carry.

Paper bags are not advisable as leachates weaken this type of bags and may cause them to tear open.

Yes, you must place them in a bag that should be tied to stop them from falling into the roadway when picked up.

Recommendation: reduce the size of these bags by crushing the cartons, bottles and containers; this saves space in the bins both at home and later in the bins.

No. They must be disposed of in the bin with the orange lid (non-recyclable type). Although they are biodegradable, faeces (animal or human) cannot be mixed with organic waste as they may contain microorganisms that can remain in these materials even after the composting process. This way we can prevent health risks.

Neither can cat litter be mixed with organic waste because it is made from inorganic materials.

They are small garden remains, bunches of flowers, grass cuttings, dead and fallen leaves, the small stems of ornamental plants, etc., provided they are in small quantities. So this excludes branches and woody stems which must be taken to a Punto Limpio.

The lids and caps of glass bottles or jars should be separated and placed in the corresponding bin: if they are metal, in the yellow lid bin (containers); if they are made of cork, in the orange lid bin (rest), and if they are plastic, you can also place them in the yellow lid bin (containers) or in the recycling centres or donate them.

If the lids or caps are from plastic containers or cartons, you can leave them at Puntos Limpios or donate them, but if you throw them away together with their containers, ideally you should crush the bottles or cartons first and then screw on the cap making it easy to recover them at processing plants.

Remember that glass objects such as glasses or cups, flat panes of glass from windows or pictures and mirrors are not placed in the green garbage bin: you should dispose of them in the orange-lidded garbage bin (non-recyclable waste) if they are small or take them to a Punto Limpio if they are very large. For safety reasons, never leave them outside the bin.

Glass jars, bottles … should be placed in the green bin. These small actions help to recycle glass, a 100% recyclable material that has infinite lives.

The paper they use in the market to wrap fish or meat has a waxed side and should be placed in the orange-lidded bin (non-recyclable waste).

Baking paper has a chemical treatment (a sulfuric acid bath, making it impermeable) and should not be placed in the organic waste container (brown lid), but in the non-recyclable waste container (orange lid).

The public can request new containers be installed, as well as a change of where a container is located, or for deteriorated bins to be replaced or removed. However, the City Council defines the type of container and the number to be installed in each area of the city.

The procedure can be requested in several ways:

• Online, using the following link.

• By phone, calling 010 Línea Madrid (915 298 210 if you call from outside the city of Madrid).

• Through social networks, on Línea Madrid’s Twitter and Facebook accounts (@lineamadrid).

• Through the Madrid Móvil App.

Separating domestic and commercial waste and placing it in the specific bins provided by the City Council is mandatory, as stated in the current municipal ordinance on cleaning and waste.

In order to facilitate separating and placing waste in the correct bins, Madrid City Council offers the public a series of services. It has undertaken to commit to the quality of these services, included in the Waste Collection and Treatment Services Charter, which has a quality certificate certifying that it meets the requirements of UNE 93200.

Failure to comply with the regulations of the current municipal cleaning and waste ordinance may carry penalties of differing amounts depending on the seriousness of the violation:

Likewise, failure to comply with the law on waste and contaminated land, on the protection of pets, or the provisions of Law 3/2007 of the Autonomous Community of Madrid on the prohibition of scrawls and graffiti on public roads, will be punished in accordance with the provisions of the applicable sectoral legislation, without detriment to the definition of behaviours provided in the current municipal ordinance on cleanliness and waste.

Madrid City Council provides a collection service for any animal found dead on public roads. To request their removal, you must notify us online or call 010 (915 298 210 if you are calling from outside the municipality of Madrid). You can find more information here.
If someone has lost a pet and wants to know if it has been found dead, they can email dptorecogidares@madrid.es.
If you need more information click here.

Graffiti removal represents a cost for the residents in Madrid. The cost of the graffiti cleaning service is charged to those who painted it. In the case of minors, their parental authority or guardians are responsible, without detriment to any penalties that may apply.

Any citizen can notify the City Council of breakage or damage to municipal green areas and roadside trees so that they can be repaired. You must report the incident by starting the procedure online, by calling 010 or via social networks with the accounts of Twitter and Facebook de Línea Madrid @lineamadrid.

If you need further information about the city’s green areas, parks and trees, please consult the services of the Madrid City Council’s Department for Water and Green Areas Management.

If you need more information click here.

This can be done in several ways:

• Online via, Warning and event communication.
• By telephone, by calling 010 Línea Madrid (915 298 210 if calling from outside the city of Madrid).
• Via social networks, at the accounts of Twitter and Facebook de Línea Madrid @lineamadrid