After you move to Madrid and find an apartment, you must learn the local waste system. This guide explains how to sort your trash using Madrid’s colored bins.
The five-bin system
Madrid uses five different colors for its contenedores (waste bins). You must sort your household waste into the correct bin.
The yellow bin is for envases (packaging and plastic containers). This includes plastic bottles, metal cans, cartons, and plastic bags.
The blue bin is for papel y cartón (paper and cardboard). You should flatten cardboard boxes before throwing them in.
The green igloo bin is for vidrio (glass bottles and jars). You must remove metal caps or corks before recycling glass.
The brown bin is for materia orgánica (organic waste). This includes food scraps, coffee grounds, and soiled paper napkins.
The orange or grey bin is for resto (general waste). Use this for dust, diapers, and non-recyclable items.
Bulky items and furniture collection
You cannot leave large items like furniture next to standard street bins. Madrid offers a free service called recogida de muebles y enseres (furniture and bulky waste collection).
Each neighborhood has a designated day for bulky waste collection. You must leave your items on the pavement on that specific evening.
Check the Madrid city council website to find the schedule for your street. Leaving furniture on the street on other days can result in heavy fines.
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Clean points for hazardous waste
You must take hazardous waste to a punto limpio (clean point). This includes electronics, batteries, lightbulbs, paint, and cooking oil.
Fixed clean points are large recycling centres located around the city. Mobile clean points are special trucks that park in neighborhoods at scheduled times.
You can recycle used cooking oil in sealed plastic bottles at these points. Never pour cooking oil down the kitchen sink.
It damages the city sewage system and harms the environment.
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Waste collection rules and schedules
Waste collection schedules depend on your neighborhood. In central Madrid, bins are often kept inside building courtyards.
Building janitors roll the bins out to the street every evening. You should only drop your trash in these bins at night.
The recommended time is between 8 PM and 10 PM. This prevents bad smells and keeps streets clean during the day.
Leaving trash bags on the pavement outside bins is illegal. The city can issue multas (fines) for littering.
Questions and answers
Where do milk cartons go?
The yellow bin. Cartons are made of plastic, cardboard, and aluminum. They belong in the packaging bin.
Can I recycle broken drinking glasses in the green bin?
No. Drinking glasses and mirrors contain lead. You must throw them in the general waste bin.
Are clean points free to use?
Yes. All fixed and mobile clean points are free for residents.
What happens to organic waste in Madrid?
It is turned into compost. The city processes organic waste at the Valdemingómez environmental complex.
How do I recycle old clothes?
Use designated clothing bins. The city council provides grey bins with red labels for textile recycling. You can also find clothing collection points in public markets.
