The waste management service fee in Gijón remains favourable compared to national standards. According to the 'Waste Rates in Spain 2026' report published by Fundació ENT, the average domestic bill in Spain is €119.62 per year. In municipalities with over 50,000 inhabitants, known as Group G5, the average annual fee reaches €126.51 per household.
In contrast, Gijón's local ordinance sets the fee for residential properties at €18.75 bimonthly, totalling €112.50 annually. This places Gijón's residential fee €7.12 below the national average and €14.01 below the average for large Spanish cities.
The report indicates that the average domestic fee in cities with over 50,000 residents is €126.51. Gijón's fee is significantly lower than those in major cities such as Valencia (€292.48), Girona (€224.56), Donostia-San Sebastián (€215.53), Palma (€209.72), Madrid (€151.63), and Alicante (€142.23). Even when compared to other large cities in Asturias, Gijón's rate is more favourable than Oviedo's €140.12.
The efficient management by the Municipal Environmental Services Company (EMULSA) allows for economies of scale within a predominantly compact urban structure, optimising collection routes and keeping the final cost manageable for residents. The Law 7/2022 mandates that local fees cover the actual costs of collection and treatment without being deficit-generating. While the average cost coverage in Spain is currently 69%, Gijón's model demonstrates solid compliance with regulations without disproportionately burdening household finances.
The performance of Gijón's waste fee illustrates that it is possible to maintain high standards of cleanliness, public space maintenance, and waste separation without significantly increasing costs for residents beyond national parameters. In a national context where domestic fees have risen by an average of over 6% annually, Gijón maintains a balanced position with a fair and efficient tariff aligned with the socio-economic reality of its residents.
The study indicates that the average waste fee for Spanish households in 2026 is €119.62 per year. Domestic fees have seen an average increase of 6.4% compared to 2025, marking the third consecutive year where fee increases have outpaced inflation. For the first time since the report's inception, 100% of the municipalities analysed have a waste fee or an equivalent specific figure for the service. The average cost coverage for the service stands at 69%, still short of the 100% required by the Law 7/2022 on Waste and Contaminated Soils.
There has been a notable increase in tax benefits aimed at sustainability, with 32.8% of municipalities offering environmental discounts for households and 24.6% applying such benefits to businesses. Systems where fees vary according to actual waste generation and participation in selective collection are implemented in 10.5% of municipalities.
