Spain
Spain has long been committed to sustainability and environmental protection, with a robust framework for waste management in place. The country adheres to the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a system in which producers are financially and physically responsible for managing the lifecycle of their products, particularly packaging waste. EPR in Spain aims to reduce waste and increase recycling rates, in line with European Union directives. Two of the main organizations driving packaging waste management and recycling in Spain are Ecovidrio and Ecoembes. Ecovidrio focuses primarily on the collection, recycling, and recovery of glass packaging, while Ecoembes manages materials such as plastics, paper, and metals. Both organizations operate under the country’s EPR framework, working with local authorities, businesses, and consumers to promote sustainable packaging practices and ensure that Spain meets its waste and recycling targets. Their efforts are key to Spain’s ongoing transition to a circular economy, where waste is minimized, and valuable materials are recovered for reuse.
Legal basis
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Spain transposed the European Directive 94/62/EC into national law through the Packaging and Packaging Waste Act 11/97, which was enacted in April 1997. This legislation offers two options for companies placing household packaging on the Spanish market: participation in a Deposit and Return System (DRS) or joining an Integrated Management System (SIG).
The law establishes specific recovery and recycling targets for packaging waste. By June 30, 2001, companies were required to recover between 50% and 65% of packaging waste, with 25% to 45% to be recycled. Additionally, there were minimum recycling requirements of 15% per material and a target of reducing packaging weight by 10%.
Under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Law, the primary responsibility for recycling and waste management lies with the packagers, producers, or suppliers of the packaging. These entities can choose from various compliance mechanisms: the Deposit and Return System, self-compliance, or membership in a compliance scheme (SIG).
Furthermore, responsibility extends to the last possessor of commercial and industrial (C&I) packaging waste, which must be delivered to an authorized recycler or recoverer. Alternatively, commercial and industrial packaging can voluntarily join a SIG, provided that the Local Government manages the waste collection for these materials.
The Royal Decree of 1998, which sets out the framework of the law, defines the role of the SIG as primarily focused on household packaging, which is collected by local authorities. The decree also specifies that companies that place a substantial amount of packaging material on the market must submit a Prevention Plan, which requires approval from regional authorities. In some cases, these plans can be developed by the SIG under specific conditions.
Subsequent updates to the legislation, including the Royal Decree and Order implementing Directive 2004/12/EC (2006), set new recycling and recovery targets for the year 2008. By December 31, 2008, the national recovery target was 60%, with 55% of the recovered packaging required to be recycled. Specific recycling targets were also established for different materials: 60% for glass and paper/cardboard, 50% for metals, 22.5% for plastics, and 15% for wood.
This structured approach, along with regular updates to legislation, aims to improve the collection, recycling, and overall management of packaging waste in Spain, in alignment with European environmental standards.
Facts and figures
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Data 2024
| Population | 48 mil. |
| No. of local authorities |
8,116 municipalities 46.7 mil. inhabitants covered by system |
| No. of companies in system |
|
| Packaging introduced to the market |
3.4 million metric tons of paper and cardboard packaging waste |
| Recovered waste |
Household packaging
|
| Types of packaging |
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Packaging organisation/s in Spain:
