In recent years, the prominence of glass recycling In Spain, it has been increasing, with increasingly active participation from both citizens and business communities, especially in the hospitality sector. Various cities and municipalities have launched campaigns and strategies that seek to promote the correct use of green containers. and improve national selective collection data. This joint effort has had a positive impact on waste reduction and progress toward more sustainable management of glass packaging.
Environmental commitment translates into new recognitions and challenges for administrations and residents, with initiatives that also respond to European regulatory requirements regarding recycling. This coordinated action not only helps reduce the ecological footprint, but also prevents the over-extraction of natural resources and reduces the energy consumption associated with the production of new glass.
Effects of glass recycling: highlights in Alicante
Alicante has been positioned as national benchmark in the selective collection of glass, achieving a 2024% increase in 6 compared to the previous year, while national consumption fell by approximately 3%. In total, 6.726 tons of glass containers, placing the city as the second provincial capital with the greatest growth in this area.
This increase has allowed the city council to receive the Green Flag of Sustainability, a recognition that recognizes the efforts of local hospitality and citizen involvement. More than 250 hospitality establishments have joined the Green Flags Movement, an Ecovidrio campaign aimed at promoting the circular economy, especially in coastal municipalities.
Each inhabitant of Alicante deposited an average of 18,7 kg of glass in the 1.547 available containers, which is equivalent to approximately 64 containers per person per year. The environmental impact of these actions has been highlighted by the authorities: they have avoided 3.900 tons of CO2 emissions, 4.800 MWh of energy has been saved and the extraction of more than 8.000 tons of raw materials has been reduced.
In the province as a whole, citizen contributions reach 23,3 kg per inhabitant, placing it well above other provinces such as Valencia (14,2 kg/inhabitant) or Castellón (12,9 kg/inhabitant). For a more in-depth look at the figures and progress made in glass recycling in Spain, you can visit this article.
'EcoBarrios': awareness campaign in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the City Council, in collaboration with Ecovidrio, has launched the 'EcoBarrios' campaign with the purpose of raise awareness among the population about the importance of glass recyclingUnder the slogan "Change starts at home, change starts in your neighborhood," the initiative seeks to strengthen selective waste collection and offer direct advice through environmental education teams that visit homes and distribute informational materials.
'EcoBarrios' is part of a national strategy which aims to implement improvements in 70 Spanish cities, with the goal of increasing waste separation and meeting European objectives for the next decade. Among the planned actions, the following stand out: installation of thirty new green containers in residential areas and the intention to increase the amount of recycled glass by 1,9%, reaching 16,1 kilos per inhabitant per year.
Recycling glass, material 100% recyclable And with infinite useful lives, it's a key element in preventing landfill overcrowding, reducing energy consumption, and decreasing the emission of polluting gases. To learn about the benefits of glass recycling, we recommend visiting this link.
Reorganization of the collection system in Girona
The city of Girona has decided reintroduce exclusive containers for glass Permanent access to 75% of areas with smart containers, after detecting a significant increase in improper waste in the recycling of this material. The measure, implemented progressively, seeks to facilitate the participation of neighbors and respond to their demands.
Some will be installed 270 new glass containers, with no time restrictions, allowing use at any time of day. Furthermore, opening limiters will be installed to prevent improper dumping, and the tanks will be relocated to strategic areas covering both regular routes and emergency areas.
The new schedule also expands the collection frequency of other fractions, following a year-long analysis and taking into account citizen suggestions. These modifications have been achieved through the reuse of resources and a logistical reorganization which seeks to solve problems of unhealthiness and the accumulation of waste outside of authorized points.
The role of the hospitality industry: Fuengirola seeks the Green Flag
On the Andalusian coast, Fuengirola once again joins the national glass recycling campaign. in hospitality establishments. The city aims to obtain, for the fourth consecutive year, the Green Flag, which recognizes the municipalities most committed to sustainability.
The participation of bars, restaurants, and beach bars is essential to the success of the initiative, which this year involves more than 181 coastal municipalities. Environmental educators from Ecovidrio They will visit venues to assess and evaluate their practices, helping to share sustainability progress in the hospitality industry. To improve your campaigns, check out these tips for successful recycling campaigns.
The City Council supports the campaign through communications efforts, posters, and local media outreach, strengthening collaboration among residents, visitors, and businesses to protect the environment and serve as an example of good practices.
Promoting glass recycling continues to be a priority in various regions, integrating citizen action, municipal commitment, and the responsibility of economic sectors. The experiences of Alicante, Las Palmas, Girona, and Fuengirola demonstrate both progress and challenges in efficient glass management, encouraging other municipalities to follow suit.
