Proper waste management should consider waste recovery as a priority strategy for waste treatment. Waste recovery makes it possible to transform waste into energy or new raw materials, "completing the circle".
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In 2021, the Spanish economy generated almost 140 million tons of waste, according to the Big Figures for the Waste Recycling Sector 2022 report prepared by IFMA Spain. This is approximately 30% more than the previous year. Of this amount, only 15% of total waste was recycled; the rest was landfilled.
With proper waste management, most of these wastes could be revalued. The Spanish Waste Law underlines the importance of recovery within a circular production and consumption model, ensuring that waste is handled and treated without harming the environment or endangering people's health. Find out how waste recovery works, a key strategy for the economy of the future.
Recovery is, according to the Waste Directive 2008/98/EC, "any operation the main result of which is that the waste serves a useful purpose by replacing other materials that would otherwise have been used to fulfil a particular function, or that the waste is prepared to fulfil that function, in the facility or in the economy at large".
In other words, waste recovery is defined as a process that involves the recovery and utilization of resources, energy or useful materials from waste . Its purpose is to give additional value to the waste instead of disposing of it in the conventional way.
A distinction should be made between recovery and recycling. Recycling is a type of recovery. The recovery operations listed in Annex 2 of the above-mentioned European framework directive include energy recovery and materials recovery. The latter includes recycling, which consists of the transformation of waste into a new product, material or substance, with the same or a different original purpose.
Depending on the final objective, there are two types of waste recovery:
Energy recovery makes it possible, through direct incineration, to transform waste that cannot be recycled into energy for domestic thermal use or as fuel for industrial use. Priority is given to alternative renewable sources such as biogas or biomethane.
For the conversion of non-hazardous waste (paper and cardboard, glass, light plastic, wood, metals, electronic components and organic waste, among others) into new materials. These so-called recoverable wastes will be incorporated back into the production system, thus completing the circular economy cycle.
The regulations in force oblige the authorities responsible for waste prevention and management to adopt the necessary measures to protect human health and the environment. In Spain, waste management is regulated by the Waste Law 7/2022of April 8, which highlights energy recovery as an important part of a circular economy.
In this way, it is possible to improve resource efficiency and optimize production processes, moving towards a zero waste model. The Law on Waste and Contaminated Soil for a Circular Economy establishes the following waste treatment hierarchy to "achieve the best overall environmental result"; in order of priority:
The adoption of these waste recovery practices has multiple advantages, both environmental and for the natural environment , as well as at the economic and social level. One of the main ones is the reduction of the volume of bio-waste in landfills and, therefore, of the generation of polluting liquids and gases derived from their accumulation. The use of renewable energies is also promoted.
Another major benefit of waste recovery, which is reflected in the circular economy, is the savings for companies by transforming their waste and not acquiring new raw materials. In the social sphere, it is worth mentioning the creation of green jobs .
According to data from the International Labor Organization (ILO), the waste collection and treatment sector represents 26% of all employment generated by the green economy in Spain. European Commission forecasts indicate that, if all current legislation on waste is applied, more than 50,000 jobs will be created in Spain alone in the coming years.
Waste recovery is considered an essential activity for the Spanish green economy. It is a main axis of its circular economy strategy to achieve sustainable development. Through recycling, recovery, reuse or transformation into energy, this innovative waste management model gives waste a second chance, preventing it from ending up in the landfill.
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