Spain Advances Circular Economy with Major Initiatives in Plastic and Construction Sectors
Spain boosts circular economy with major government subsidies for plastic projects and construction sector advances in waste management and sustainability.
- • Spanish government increased circular economy funding from 97.5 to 154.5 million euros for plastic sector projects.
- • 125 projects involving 132 companies across 14 regions selected, supporting plastic waste management and eco-design.
- • Construction sector produces 37 million tons of waste annually in Spain, a major focus for circular practices.
- • FCC Construcción achieved 'zero waste' certification, diverting over 90% of construction waste from landfills.
Key details
Spain is accelerating its transition to a circular economy through targeted initiatives in both the plastic and construction sectors, backed by significant government support and innovative industry practices.
The Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition has expanded subsidies for circular economy projects in the plastic sector, increasing the initial funding from 97.5 million euros to 154.5 million euros due to high demand. This funding will support 125 selected projects across 14 autonomous communities, involving 132 companies. Financial aid per project ranges from 100,000 euros to nearly 9 million euros, with a completion deadline set for October 31, 2027. These projects, which total over 530 million euros in investments, focus on plastic waste management, environmental protection, research and development in eco-design, and digitalization. This effort is part of the broader PERTE of Circular Economy, a NextGenerationEU-funded initiative aligning with Spain’s and Europe’s broader circular economy strategies to address plastic pollution and sustainability challenges.
Meanwhile, in the construction sector, which generates about 30% of Europe’s waste with Spain producing 37 million tons annually, significant strides are being made towards sustainable waste management. Industry leaders like FCC Construcción have implemented comprehensive waste management plans and obtained “zero waste” certification verified by AENOR, ensuring over 90% of waste generated is diverted from landfills. The adoption of circular principles in construction emphasizes minimizing waste generation and maximizing reuse and recycling, in line with the European Union’s requirement to recycle or reuse at least 70% of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste.
Complementing these efforts, the Asociación Española de Empresas Constructoras (AEC) promotes sustainability through its Sustainability Community, encouraging companies to integrate sustainable practices, foster innovation, and share knowledge to facilitate a systemic transition to a circular economy.
Together, these government-backed projects and industry leadership illustrate Spain’s commitment to evolving from a linear economic model to a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable circular economy. This transition not only aims to reduce environmental impacts and resource dependency but also to enhance economic competitiveness and social value, confirming sustainability’s role as a driver for Spain’s future economic and social development.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.