What sorting obligations for an ERP or a shopping centre?

A business that operates a public-access building (ERP) and produces more than 1,100 litres of waste per week must also organise separate collection of the public's waste.

By Razvan Toma · Founder, PoubelleTri

Updated 25 September 2026 · Sources at the bottom of the page · Text version

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Short answer

A business that operates a public-access building (ERP) and produces more than 1,100 litres of waste per week must also organise separate collection of the public's waste. It provides visitors with recycling bins for at least two streams: packaging and paper on one side, biowaste on the other. Food shops over 2,500 m² must also install a packaging take-back point after the checkouts.

The threshold

The obligation applies to operators of ERPs producing more than 1,100 litres of waste per week, all waste combined. It is in addition to source separation of the business's own waste.

What counts as an ERP

The ministry cites in particular railway stations, airports, shopping centres, hotels, exhibition halls, schools and universities. Outside the area open to the public, the rules for businesses (6/8-stream sorting) apply.

The ministry's example: fast food

In the dining room, a container for customers to sort paper, cardboard, plastic, metal and biowaste; in the kitchen, containers for staff for plastic, cardboard, paper, metal, glass, wood and biowaste.

The minimum two streams for the public

Household packaging (plastic, steel, aluminium, paper or cardboard) and printed or graphic paper.
Biowaste.

A public sorting station must therefore offer at least these two streams. In practice, shopping centres and halls often add a stream for residual waste: a 3-stream station.

Food supermarkets

Every shop larger than 2,500 m² selling food and everyday consumer goods on a self-service basis must install a take-back point for the packaging of purchased products after the checkouts.

Which equipment

For arcades and halls: indoor 3-stream stations at 90/100 L (see the models). For forecourts and surroundings: outdoor stations with lids and floor fixing (see the models).

Sources

Written byRazvan Toma

Founder of PoubelleTri. Has designed and made recycling stations for businesses and local authorities since 2010: more than 16 years of B2B manufacturing experience.

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