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PAYT in Argentona
Published on 06 September 2020
Spain
Cataluña
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About this good practice
Argentona introduced the Door-to-Door (DtD) collection in 2004 and in 2010 decided to apply a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) with pre-paid standard bags for citizens and commercial activities. The DtD&PAYT has been extended to all suburban areas in 2016.
The PAYT has been implemented using an initial participation process, information campaign, and test period. The permanent staff and the information office follow the systems functioning and the users’ performance being key tools for the success of the system.
The PAYT scheme relies on the introduction of pre-paid standard bags for residual waste (red) and light packaging (yellow), initially introduced for both businesses and households, but later the yellow bags were eliminated for citizens. The PAYT is also applied for the organic fraction produced by businesses. The household tax comprises 1. a progressive fixed part modulated depending on the number of residents/ household and 2. a variable part as a function of the residual waste bags used. The municipality provides a number of bags included in the fixed part of the tax (1, 2 or 2.5 packs depending on household members). Additional bags have to be purchased at collaborating shops at a cost of 0.65€/17L bag.
The businesses have to pay a fixed tax calculated based on the surface of their premises and the type of activity they carry out; and a variable part based on the number of standard bags used for residual waste 2.5€/65L bag) and light packaging (1€/100L bag).
The PAYT has been implemented using an initial participation process, information campaign, and test period. The permanent staff and the information office follow the systems functioning and the users’ performance being key tools for the success of the system.
The PAYT scheme relies on the introduction of pre-paid standard bags for residual waste (red) and light packaging (yellow), initially introduced for both businesses and households, but later the yellow bags were eliminated for citizens. The PAYT is also applied for the organic fraction produced by businesses. The household tax comprises 1. a progressive fixed part modulated depending on the number of residents/ household and 2. a variable part as a function of the residual waste bags used. The municipality provides a number of bags included in the fixed part of the tax (1, 2 or 2.5 packs depending on household members). Additional bags have to be purchased at collaborating shops at a cost of 0.65€/17L bag.
The businesses have to pay a fixed tax calculated based on the surface of their premises and the type of activity they carry out; and a variable part based on the number of standard bags used for residual waste 2.5€/65L bag) and light packaging (1€/100L bag).
Expert opinion
Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) schemes are variable fee structures based on the weight or volume of the waste generated. They are targeting household waste at its very source and making households responsible for the quantity of waste discarded. The PAYT system in Argentona illustrates how this policy instruments can contribute to the reduction of residual waste whilst creating at the same time incentives for increased recycling and composting. The good practice shows very good results with regard to waste reduction, the maintenance of a high-quality of separately collected waste as well as a very good acceptance by the local population. The approach will be very interesting for regions and municipalities that are keen to increase waste reduction and recycling rates.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
Implementation: Costs of communication campaigns and participation processes.
Monitoring: Costs of the annual distribution of the bags (included in tax fix part), cost of permanent mentor/educator staff, environmental information office, and website.
Very economical material using a plastic st
Monitoring: Costs of the annual distribution of the bags (included in tax fix part), cost of permanent mentor/educator staff, environmental information office, and website.
Very economical material using a plastic st
Evidence of success
Between 2008 and 2018, the amount of waste generation/inhab./day decreased by 26% to 1.27 kg. During the same period, the rate of separate waste collection increased from 52.8% to 87.6%. Residual waste dropped by 15% between 2009 and 2013 and packaging waste by 16%. The quality of the separately collected waste has remained high. The use of the municipal collection center has increased. The system has been widely accepted by the majority of the population and was the subject of a broad political
Potential for learning or transfer
The DtD services associated to PAYT systems have high results in terms of participation in the separate collection and high quantity and quality of separate fractions collections. The monitoring activities to follow the system functioning and the users’ performance are key tools for its success
The introduction of the system using an initial participation process, information campaign and initial test period are key elements for its success. The DtD services associated with PAYT systems have high results in terms of participation in the separate collection and high quantity and quality of separate fractions collections.
The pre-paid standard bags are very economical elements for the introduction of PAYT systems and there is no need for the introduction of costly technologies.
The control and sanctioning of the incorrect use of the system and other bad practices like illegal disposal or waste tourism are very important instruments for the proper functioning of the DtD+PAYT scheme.
The introduction of the system using an initial participation process, information campaign and initial test period are key elements for its success. The DtD services associated with PAYT systems have high results in terms of participation in the separate collection and high quantity and quality of separate fractions collections.
The pre-paid standard bags are very economical elements for the introduction of PAYT systems and there is no need for the introduction of costly technologies.
The control and sanctioning of the incorrect use of the system and other bad practices like illegal disposal or waste tourism are very important instruments for the proper functioning of the DtD+PAYT scheme.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Argentona municipality
Spain
Cataluña
Contact
Head of Separate Collection Promotion