Colombia Adds Selective Organic Waste Collection to the Public Sanitation Service: What Decree 772 of 2026 Changes

On July 16, 2026, Colombia's Ministry of Housing, City and Territory issued Decree 0772 of 2026, which amends Decree 1077 of 2015, the sector's single regulatory decree. It was published in the Diario Oficial (issue 53,556) on July 17, 2026.

What it sets out

• Selective collection and transport of source-separated organic waste to treatment sites becomes part of the public sanitation service. It must be done by a sanitation provider registered for that activity in the RUPS, the national registry of utility providers.
• Routes for organic and recyclable waste take priority over routes for non-recyclable waste in schedules and frequencies.
• Users must separate their waste at the source so it can be collected selectively, under their municipality's waste plan (PGIRS) and Resolution 2184 of 2019.
• The decree took effect on publication, but its rules apply six months later (mid-January 2027), with one exception.

How it links to earlier rules

• Resolution 2184 of 2019 of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development set the national color code, with green for usable organic waste.
• Decree 670 of 2025 regulates the Zero Waste Program (Programa Basura Cero) created by Law 2294 of 2023. Municipalities carry it out through their PGIRS, and it promotes on-site treatment of organic waste in hard-to-reach municipalities, rural and urban.

What it means for hotels, restaurants and large generators

With organics as their own waste stream, treating them where they are produced can cut the volume to be collected and turn it into fresh compost for green areas. An OCTOEN composter runs a 12-24 hour composting cycle and reduces volume by up to 90%.

Talk to us or see the regulations page.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Check the official source or ask a qualified advisor before you rely on a rule.