Spain Advances Circular Economy Efforts in Packaging and Children's Furniture
Spain promotes circular economy innovations in packaging regulation and ecodesigned children's furniture reuse programs to reduce waste and enhance sustainability.
- • CEOE held the IV Jornada focusing on EU packaging regulation adaptation and innovation.
- • Key speakers included Hugo Morán and Cristina Riestra, plus European Commission representatives.
- • Circulari offers children's furniture that families return for restoration, promoting reuse.
- • Furniture industry waste exceeds 10 million tons annually in the EU; Circulari's model reduces this.
- • Returned furniture earns customers a 30% credit or 15% refund, fostering sustainability.
Key details
On February 12, 2026, CEOE hosted the IV Jornada ‘Reto empresarial frente a la economía circular de los envases,’ a significant event addressing challenges posed by the upcoming EU packaging regulation set to take effect in August. The event was inaugurated by Hugo Morán, Secretary of State for the Environment, and Cristina Riestra, Director of Industry, Energy, Environment, and Climate at CEOE. Discussions focused on national adaptation of EU packaging regulations and innovations in ecodesign, featuring industry leaders and European Commission representatives. Mauricio García de Quevedo, President of the CEOE Circular Economy Commission, presented strategic priorities highlighting the importance of regulatory and technological advancements to promote circular packaging systems.
Complementing this regulatory focus, Barcelona-based company Circulari is pioneering circular economy principles in the furniture sector by offering ecodesigned children's furniture that can be returned for restoration and reuse. Addressing the industry's contribution of over 10 million tons of waste annually in the EU, Circulari encourages families to return outgrown furniture in exchange for a 30% credit or 15% refund. Returned items are restored with non-toxic materials, ensuring they look indistinguishable from new, thereby promoting sustainability and reducing landfill waste. Founders Carlos Jiménez and Àlex Ros emphasize treating furniture as a resource rather than waste, fostering a cultural shift from disposable to durable products.
These developments underscore Spain's proactive approach to integrating circular economy models in both packaging and furniture sectors through regulatory adaptation and innovative business models, reinforcing sustainability and resource efficiency.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
