Vilablareix, 01 June 2026 – The Catalan municipality of Vilablareix has officially been awarded the Zero Waste Cities Certification with an impressive 4 out of 5 stars rating. This achievement solidifies the town’s status as a European frontrunner in waste prevention and sustainable resource management. The certification process was supported by MiZA’s local mentor, Rezero, with the independent audit conducted by Ibérica Ambiente.
With this prestigious recognition, Vilablareix becomes the second municipality in Catalonia to achieve the Certification, joining Torrelles de Llobregat, while Viladecans is currently undergoing the process.
Setting the Gold Standard: Over 90% Separate Waste Collection
Vilablareix stands out for its sustained excellence in waste management, boasting a separate collection rate of over 90%. Most notably, the purity of its organic waste fraction is close to 100%—a clear testament to both the efficiency of the local system and the deep commitment of its citizens.
When it comes to waste generation, Vilablareix performs significantly better than the regional average:
- Total waste generated (2024): 274.72 kg per capita per year (compared to the Catalan average of 480.76 kg).
- Residual waste (black bin): A mere 24.2 kg per capita per year.
This success is driven by a robust door-to-door collection system, complemented by a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) scheme. This economic incentive encourages active citizen participation by linking costs to the frequency of throwing away specific fractions, such as organics and light packaging.
Vilablareix by the Numbers
- 90%+ Separate collection rate
- ~100% Purity in organic waste collection
- 24.2 kg Residual waste per inhabitant/year (Catalan avg: 480.76 kg)
Prevention and Reuse: The Core of the Model
Beyond excellent collection rates, Vilablareix has spent the last decade deploying a wide range of initiatives centered on waste prevention and circularity.
Key milestones include:
- School Programs: Target campaigns to reduce single-use items, such as eliminating paper napkins in school canteens.
- Community Engagement: Promotion of home and community composting, alongside active support for right-to-repair initiatives.
- Public & Admin Events: Eliminating single-use plastics in municipal buildings and mandating reusable cups and tableware at public events.
Looking Ahead: The Next Steps on the Zero Waste Journey
True to the spirit of continuous improvement inherent to the Zero Waste Cities Certification, Vilablareix is already looking to the future. Short-term goals include launching feasibility studies for bulky waste reuse systems and implementing new strategies to tackle food waste.
Achieving these milestones will involve close collaboration between local government, social economy entities, schools, and the wider community to optimize existing processes and drive waste numbers even lower.
An Inspiring Model for Europe
The Zero Waste Cities Certification is a standard designed to bring visibility to pioneering local policies, identify areas for improvement, and foster continuous growth.
Alba Cabrera, Coordinator at Rezero and mentor during the certification process, emphasized:
“This certification does not just reward the hard work already put in by pioneering municipalities like Vilablareix; it acts as a strategic tool to keep moving forward, pinpoint new challenges, and inspire other towns across Europe to take the leap toward zero waste.”
The Councillor for Environment of Vilablareix added:
“This 4-star certification recognizes years of shared effort between the City Council, our citizens, schools, and local associations. Vilablareix has proven that with consistency, education, and shared responsibility, a small municipality can achieve world-class results in waste prevention. We are proud to build a model that is sustainable, efficient, and deeply committed to future generations.”
Kaisa Karjalainen, Director of the Mission Zero Academy, stated:
“The 4 star certification achieved by Vilablareix is an indisputable confirmation that the municipality has been on the right zero waste track for a long time. What is the added value of this extra verification is that the next steps for even better performance are now clear. Their transformation is yet another example for European municipalities about how excellence in terms of waste prevention and management looks like in practice.”
By combining high-performing management systems, proactive prevention policies, and high citizen engagement, Vilablareix proves that zero waste is not just an ambition—it is an achievable reality that yields measurable, real-world impacts.
Press contacts
Ariane Osman, Communications Officer at Zero Waste Europe, ariane@zerowasteeurope.eu or news@zerowasteeurope.eu / +32 471 96 55 93
