The environment and cleaning

A pioneering system in Europe

Mercabarna is a pioneer amongst the wholesale markets in Europe because of its system of refuse separation and recycling, for which technology has been specifically designed.

80% recycling

Currently almost 80% of refuse generated within the precinct is recycled.
Some 45,000,000 kilograms of refuse is collected annually

Water treatment

Mercabarna has a waste water treatment plant that provides service to the various facilities within the precinct such as the Central Fish Market and the slaughterhouse.

The plant treats a daily average of 1,000 cubic metres of waste water and makes it possible to comply with EU, state and Autonomous Community legislation regarding waste water and to do so in ideal conditions.

Cleaning the roadways and pavilions

A team of twenty-five people with specialised equipment works day and night to keep Mercabarna clean.

Furthermore, 65% of the water used to clean the roadways and pavilions within the precinct is ground water.

Framework agreement

On 5 June 2002 the ten users’ associations (wholesalers and buyers) involved in the Waste Administration Plan and the management of Mercabarna signed a Framework agreement.

Under the agreement signatories undertake to put the selective refuse collection model into operation on a daily basis and the agreement also serves as an instrument to regularly evaluate the quality of cleaning and waste management in Mercabarna. See MERCABARNA’S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Certified environmental quality

Mercabarna’s waste management system has had ISO 14001 certification since 2004. This guarantees the environmental quality that makes Mercabarna a more competitive, transparent and sustainable market.

Renewable energy

Mercabarna supports the use of sustainable and renewable energy, or ‘green energy’ and is installing solar panels in some of the new facilities such as the new flower market, Mercabarna-flor.