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12 clusters · 32 sources · 59 days · First seen · Last updated

Circular economy and waste management initiatives

Overview

Efforts to advance circular economy principles and waste management have expanded from educational outreach to legislative and technological implementation. In Spain, progress includes the finalization of a national Deposit, Return, and Refund System (SDDR), scheduled for implementation by November 2026 to address recycling rates that reached only 41.3% for plastic bottles in 2023. The emergence of chemical recycling and large-scale industrial projects, such as a 162 million euro waste valorization plant in Zaragoza and Atlantic Copper’s 550 million euro metal recovery facility in Huelva, further supports these goals. Recent industry reports highlight a growing imbalance in the plastic recycling sector. During the 5th National Plastic Recycling Congress, Anarpla President David Eslava noted that while Spain holds an installed capacity of approximately 2.4 million tons—18% of the European total—the industry faces a shortage of high-quality raw materials. In 2025, gross recycling reached 1.67 million tons, leaving a gap of over 800,000 tons compared to potential capacity. Experts warn this deficit could reach 900,000 tons by 2028 if selective collection does not improve. To address landfill reduction targets, the association AEVERSU has proposed doubling Spain’s energy recovery capacity, with secretary general Belén Vázquez-Quevedo calling for the suspension of taxes on energy recovery. The newly formed business association Circularis, comprising Urbaser, FCCenviro, PreZero, and Valoriza, has stated that Spain requires investments exceeding 12 billion euros to meet EU mandates, such as reducing landfill use to below 10% by 2035. While national reforms are pending, some regions are ahead of schedule; the Balearic Islands have already achieved a landfill rate of 6.01%, meeting the 2035 target nearly a decade early. Other territories, including Catalonia, the Basque Country, the Valencian Community, and Navarra, are also well-positioned to meet future goals. Industrial and construction sectors are increasingly integrating circularity through resource efficiency and material recovery.

Entities

European Union · Spain · Urbaser · Circularis · Ecoembes

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Spain implements deposit system to meet EU recycling targets

    Spain will launch a deposit-return system for plastic bottles and cans by November 2026 to boost recycling rates and meet EU targets after falling short of previous goals.

  2. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Circular economy advances in Spain's industrial and construction sectors

    Industrial sectors in Spain are advancing the circular economy by transforming waste into raw materials, with companies like Grupo Gestán and Grupo J. Rilo leading in recycling and resource recovery.

  3. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Spain targets waste management reforms to meet EU goals

    As Spain strives to meet EU 2035 landfill reduction targets, AEVERSU calls for doubling energy recovery capacity, while the Balearic Islands have already surpassed the 10% landfill limit.

  4. [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Spain's plastic recycling industry faces waste supply shortage

    Spain's plastic recycling industry faces a major gap between its 2.4 million ton capacity and the actual waste available, with processed volumes falling short by over 800,000 tons in 2025.

  5. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Spain faces waste management challenges amid EU target deadlines

    Spain struggles to meet EU waste targets, with Circularis calling for 20 new energy recovery plants to reduce landfill use and MITECO launching a campaign to improve recycling through economic awareness.

  6. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Spain requires €12 billion to meet 2035 EU recycling targets

    Spain needs 12 billion euros in investment to modernize recycling and meet 2035 EU waste management and reuse targets, according to the Circularis association.

  7. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Spain advances circular economy with new industrial waste projects

    Spain expands its circular economy with a new 162 million euro waste-to-fuel plant in Zaragoza and Atlantic Copper’s 550 million euro electronic waste recycling facility in Huelva.

  8. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Circularis association calls for 12 billion euros to boost Spanish recycling

    The new Circularis association, formed by major waste operators, calls for 12 billion euros in investment to help Spain meet EU recycling and landfill reduction targets by 2030 and 2035.

  9. [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Spanish retailers implement circular economy and waste reduction strategies

    Spanish retailers Viena Capellanes and El Corte Inglés are advancing circular economy initiatives through food waste reduction plans and significant decreases in plastic packaging use.

  10. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Regional recycling initiatives launched in Bolivia and Spain

    New recycling campaigns in Bolivia and Spain promote environmental awareness through material exchange programs and community-based waste separation education.

  11. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Spain and EU advance circular economy and recycling initiatives

    Spain and the EU are advancing circular economy initiatives, including new waste management systems, chemical recycling, and the development of a future European Circular Economy Law by 2026.

  12. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Environmental education initiatives promote circular economy in Spain and Mexico

    Environmental education programs in Spain and Mexico are targeting youth to promote circular economy practices, biodiversity awareness, and improved waste recycling and management.

Sources

actualitatvalenciana.com · africanmanager.com · ambientum.com · arainfo.org · buehnen.de · capitalradio.es · contextohn.com · diariodealmeria.es · diariofinanciero.com · economia3.com · ecoticias.com · efeagro.com · efeverde.com · elaltoesnoticia.com · eldigitaldealbacete.com · expansion.com · inforse.com.bo · interempresas.net · lacerca.com · laopinioncoruna.es · levante-emv.com · merca2.es · okdiario.com · rcbolivia.com · renovablesverdes.com · retema.es · revistamercados.com · sbt.org · tribunademexico.com · vanguardia-industrial.net · vinetur.com · vivirediciones.es

This summary has been updated 10 times: see revision history