Andorra Parishes Launch €78M Joint Tender for Unified Waste Collection

Andorra's seven parishes have launched a joint tender to unify waste collection services across the country, aiming to award a single concession—or potentially split into lots—valued at nearly €78 million over the next decade.

Coordinated by Encamp parish but binding all parishes, the process targets implementation from 1 August this year until 31 July 2036. Exceptions include domestic waste collection in Andorra la Vella, starting 2 January 2020 upon expiry of its current contract, and organic waste from 10 November. The winning bidder must manage collection and treatment of glass, lightweight packaging, paper and cardboard, domestic waste, and progressively organic matter. It will also handle container maintenance, cleaning, replacements, and upgrades or reconstruction of the Pas de la Casa waste exchange plant.

The tender introduces a new model incorporating organic waste recovery, with a goal of reusing 68% of generated organic matter by 2035 from both major producers and households. In Pas de la Casa, services will intensify beyond daily domestic waste rounds due to high volumes.

Collection frequencies will adjust: glass once or twice weekly between 8am and 10pm; packaging three times weekly with flexible hours; domestic waste, paper and cardboard daily; and organic waste five times weekly.

Bidders can propose either a full package or two lots—one for domestic and organic waste, the other for glass, paper-cardboard and packaging. The total estimated value is €77.64 million for 10 years to 2026, including €8.77 million in investments for equipment and Pas de la Casa reforms.

A supporting study notes current separate services cost €5.4 million annually (€60 per inhabitant), rising to €6.9 million (€77.3 per inhabitant). Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany face the largest increases at €1.9 million and €1.22 million respectively.