Glass container recycling in Spain has taken a leap forward and is consolidating its position as one of the pillars of the country's circular economy. The latest data published by Ecovidrio, the collective system that manages the separate collection of this material, paints a picture in which citizens, local councils, and the hospitality sector are beginning to work together, although with significant differences between regions, as demonstrated by various campaigns and new strategies.
With an estimated recycling rate of 72,3% , Spain not only exceeds the targets set by the Royal Decree on Packaging and European regulations ( European target of 70%), but does so in a context of declining consumption. Even so, some regions and provinces remain far from the national average and, like Granada, Almería, and Toledo, have set themselves the challenge of closing the gap in the coming years.
Spain exceeds European glass recycling targets
According to the latest figures, in 2025 the recovery of glass packaging waste reached 1.042.834 tons nationwide. Of that amount, more than 90% (around 981.000 tons) came from source separation via the green container, confirming that this system remains the backbone of collection.
On an individual basis, each resident deposited an average of 20 kilos of glass in the containers, roughly equivalent to 68 containers per person per year. In total, some 3.359 billion containers were placed in the green recycling bins, more than 9 million per day, or over 6.000 containers every minute across the country. This trend is linked, among other things, to the increased recycling of glass bottles in both households and businesses.
This trend has a significant nuance: citizen contributions increased by 0,3% compared to the previous year, in a year in which consumption fell by around 2%. In other words, although fewer products packaged in glass were purchased, the percentage ending up in the green recycling bin increased slightly.
Along with the glass properly separated at the source, Ecovidrio also recovered an additional 61.700 tons at 26 municipal waste treatment plants across the country. This glass had ended up mixed with other waste or in other containers and was able to be reintroduced into the production cycle, although this method is more complex and costly than direct collection at the green recycling bins.
The organization points out that glass is 100% recyclable and infinitely reusable as a raw material without any loss of quality, making its separate collection one of the most efficient operations from both an environmental and economic perspective. Recycled glass offers numerous environmental and production efficiency advantages.
Leading cities, territorial differences and generational challenge
The data reveals a highly uneven map of glass recycling in Spain . San Sebastián tops the list of cities that recycle the most, with 35,8 kilos of glass per inhabitant per year. It is followed by Pamplona , with 29,1 kilos, and Bilbao , with 25,1 kilos per person; all of these cities have delegated the containerization and collection operations for treatment and recycling to Ecovidrio.
Following behind are other capital cities with figures above the national average, such as Palma (24,2 kg/inhabitant), Vitoria-Gasteiz (22 kg/inhabitant), Barcelona (21,8 kg/inhabitant), Granada (around 21,5 kg/inhabitant), Burgos (20,8 kg/inhabitant), Segovia (20,3 kg/inhabitant), and Santander (close to 20 kg/inhabitant). These cities combine a high level of awareness, a dense network of recycling containers, and, in many cases, municipal ordinances that encourage residents and businesses to properly separate glass.
Ecovidrio warns that, in addition to local policies, socioeconomic and age factors also play a role . Their databases indicate that in middle-class neighborhoods, the use of the green recycling container is significantly higher than in lower-income areas, and that the age group that recycles the least is young people between 18 and 34 years old. To try to close this generational gap , the organization has intensified its presence on social media and launched campaigns specifically targeting this demographic.
Another factor influencing the figures is the actual availability of containers. In cities with complex historic centers, the size of the classic 3.000-liter igloo-shaped containers forces the search for alternatives, as demonstrated by the case of Toledo , where until recently some 10.000 residents of the historic center had virtually no options for recycling glass near their homes.
Toledo: the effect of the "Toledo Recycles" plan and door-to-door collection
The capital of Castilla-La Mancha illustrates how expanding infrastructure and providing tailored services can change the trend. Until 2025, glass recycling figures in the municipality were modest: around 9,3-9,6 kilos per inhabitant per year (about 33 containers), well below the regional average of 14 kilos and the national average of 20 kilos.
With the implementation of the Toledo Recycles Comprehensive Plan , the City Council and Ecovidrio have begun to reverse the situation. In the last fiscal year, the separate collection of glass containers grew by 3,5% , reaching 840 tons. This increase occurred, once again, in a context of a 2% drop in consumption, which underscores the significance of the rise.
The turning point was the installation, starting in August, of 48 240-liter containers in the Historic Quarter. These discreet, smaller containers, designed as bin covers, are better suited to narrow streets and historic areas than the traditional igloo-shaped ones. This initiative was accompanied by a door-to-door information campaign that reached approximately 4.600 households in the area.
Two months later, a dedicated door-to-door collection service was launched for 130-147 hospitality establishments in the historic center, where over a hundred adapted bins for storing glass were distributed. This network of bars and restaurants alone contributed some 113 tons of glass in just a few months, a significant figure considering that the city's annual total is 840 tons.
Local authorities are confident that, with the Historic Quarter now integrated into the system, the city can first approach the regional average and, subsequently, the national average. The City Council emphasizes that glass is a material with "virtually infinite uses" and that increasing its recycling contributes both to reducing production costs and minimizing the extraction of raw materials.
Andalusia: progress, contrasts and the key role of the hospitality industry
At the regional level, Andalusia continues to improve but remains below the national average. In 2025, the region recorded approximately 128.710 tons of glass collected separately . Each Andalusian deposited an average of 14,9 kilos (about 51 containers) in the green recycling bin, still far from the national average of 20 kilos.
By province, Málaga led in citizen contribution with 18,1 kg per inhabitant, followed by Granada (13 kg/inhabitant), Seville (12,9 kg/inhabitant), Cádiz (12,4 kg/inhabitant), Almería (10,2 kg/inhabitant), Jaén (9,8 kg/inhabitant), Córdoba (9,4 kg/inhabitant), and Huelva (9,2 kg/inhabitant). The internal disparity demonstrates that there is still considerable room for improvement in much of the country.
In addition to the glass that arrives correctly in the recycling container, Ecovidrio recovered more than 9.800 tons of glass in Andalusia that had ended up in other waste streams and reintroduced it into the production cycle. Even so, the organization insists that the truly efficient method is to separate the glass from the very beginning in the green recycling bin.
The regional strategy relies heavily on the Horeca channel (hotels, restaurants, and cafes), which accounts for almost half of all single-use glass packaging placed on the market. Using the EcoVares program as a general framework, over 24.500 hospitality establishments across Andalusia were reached in 2025 through awareness campaigns, training, and the distribution of resources (adapted containers, bins, etc.).
Granada: good position among capital cities, but province below average
The case of Granada illustrates the contrast between the capital city and the province as a whole. According to data from Ecovidrio, the province recovered approximately 12.275 tons of glass containers in 2025. Each resident of Granada deposited an average of 13 kilos of glass (about 44 containers), significantly below the Spanish average of 20 kilos.
Even so, the city of Granada ranks as the top recycler in Andalusia , with around 21,5 kilos per inhabitant when the focus is broadened to include provincial capitals. Among municipalities with more than 3.000 inhabitants, Almuñécar stands out with 28 kilos per person, and Salobreña with 22 kilos, both of which are among the coastal towns most committed to glass recycling.
In the last fiscal year, a 1,1% decrease was recorded compared to the previous year, a drop directly linked to the approximately 2% decrease in consumption. In absolute numbers, some 42 million containers were deposited in the province, the equivalent of more than 115.000 per day and around 79 containers per minute in the available recycling bins.
The hospitality sector in Granada, which generates nearly 50% of single-use glass, remains a key focus of Ecovidrio's work . In 2025, three door-to-door collection services specifically for the hospitality industry were maintained in Granada, Almuñécar, and Salobreña, facilitating source separation in a sector that handles a large volume of bottles and jars.
In addition, the organization carried out campaigns in six municipalities in Granada, visiting more than 2.600 hospitality establishments and distributing over 400 adapted recycling bins. The goal, according to the Ecovidrio manager for the province, is to position Granada “where it deserves to be in terms of circularity,” something that will only be possible, he insists, with the shared responsibility of businesses, government agencies, and citizens.
Almería: sustained commitment, but far from the state average
In the province of Almería , the indicators paint a picture of both positive and negative aspects. In 2025 , 7.856 tons of glass packaging were collected separately in the more than 3.600 green containers distributed throughout the territory, a figure that represents a decrease of 2,5% compared to the previous year.
Translated into daily habits, each resident of Almería deposited 10,2 kilos of glass (34 containers) throughout the year. This amount places the province below the Andalusian average (14,9 kilos and 51 containers per inhabitant) and significantly below the Spanish average, which stands at 20 kilos per person.
In total, more than 26 million containers were recovered in the province, which equates to about 73.000 per day and around 51 containers every minute. Although the overall figure is considerable, Almería occupies a middle position within the region: above Jaén, Córdoba, and Huelva, but behind Málaga, Granada, Sevilla, and Cádiz in per capita contribution.
The strategy to reverse this situation, as in other provinces, involves strengthening collaboration with the hospitality sector . Over the past year, Ecovidrio maintained door-to-door collection services in key municipalities such as El Ejido, Roquetas de Mar, and the capital. In addition, specific campaigns were launched for the hospitality industry, which involved visiting more than 1.300 establishments and distributing approximately 300 adapted recycling bins.
The provincial management emphasizes that, despite the figures still being below the national average, the commitment of the citizens and the work with local administrations lay the foundation for a more co-responsible model . The medium-term goal is for the province to climb the rankings at the regional and national levels.
EcoNeighborhoods and artificial intelligence: technology at the service of the green container
One of the major innovations of recent years is the application of artificial intelligence to the collection system. After nearly three decades of fieldwork, Ecovidrio has a historical record of data from the more than 260.000 green containers distributed throughout Spain, with daily collection records and the exact geolocation of each container.
This data is cross-referenced with other sources of information to create behavioral maps by neighborhood and detect "black holes" where contributions to the green recycling bin are abnormally low. The use of algorithms allows for the identification of areas with high growth potential, analysis of vandalism problems or lack of infrastructure, and adjustment of solutions accordingly.
In these areas, the EcoBarrios strategy is being implemented , a program designed to accelerate the increase in selective waste collection in specific urban zones. The measures include installing new containers where they are lacking, relocating problematic areas, reinforcing information campaigns, and mobilizing neighborhood associations and businesses. An example of this local approach can be seen in initiatives such as that of Santa Cruz.
During 2025, EcoBarrios was implemented in 86 municipalities , reaching more than 2,6 million citizens. According to those in charge of the program, in the areas where it has been implemented, glass collection has increased by more than 12% , confirming the impact of combining data, technology, and fieldwork.
Furthermore, the use of artificial intelligence has enabled the design of more efficient collection routes and the anticipation of potential overflows in the containers. This optimizes truck routes, reduces transport-related emissions, and improves the appearance of collection points by preventing overflowing containers.
Hospitality and specific plans: EcoVares and door-to-door campaigns
The hospitality sector —bars, restaurants, hotels, and cafes—is a key player in glass recycling in Spain. Approximately 50% of single-use glass containers placed on the market are consumed through this channel, and around 20% of the glass used in the hospitality industry is directly reused, while the rest is recycled.
Aware of this importance, Ecovidrio has developed the EcoVares plan , a specific strategy for the Horeca channel (hotels, restaurants, and catering). In 2025 alone, the program facilitated visits to more than 140.000 hospitality establishments nationwide. These visits are accompanied by operational plans tailored to each municipality, awareness campaigns with local councils, the installation of special containers, and increased support for businesses. Examples of successful local campaigns are featured in articles such as the one about the Magdalena festival in Castellón.
In many cities , door-to-door collection routes have been implemented for bars and restaurants located in areas where access for large trucks is difficult, such as historic city centers. This is the case in Toledo, Granada, Almuñécar, Salobreña, and various municipalities in Almería, where collection is tailored to the schedules and specific needs of each area.
Collaboration with industry organizations has also gained importance. Together with Hostelería de España ( the Spanish Hospitality Association) and with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, Ecovidrio presented the first Hospitality Sustainability Barometer in Spain , a study that shows that almost eight out of ten hospitality establishments have already incorporated some sustainability measure into their management, including the proper separation of glass.
Meanwhile, local initiatives such as competitive campaigns between municipalities—like the one involving towns in Extremadura, including Miajadas, Zafra, Villafranca de los Barros, and Coria—seek to involve residents, schools, and bars in collection challenges, with recognition plaques and awareness-raising actions that reinforce the idea that every bottle in the green container adds to the common effort.
Environmental benefits of an infinitely recyclable material
All these efforts have a direct impact on the environment. At the state level, glass recycling in 2025 prevented the emission of more than 600.000 tons of CO₂ , an amount equivalent to the emissions from approximately 153 complete trips around the Earth by plane along the equator or the consumption of more than 1,4 million barrels of oil.
In terms of energy, the system saved more than 745.000 MWh , roughly equivalent to the electricity consumption of all hospitals in Spain for just over two months. This reduction in energy demand is due to the fact that manufacturing new containers from recycled glass requires less energy than starting with virgin raw materials.
The impact on natural resources is also remarkable. Thanks to the glass deposited in the green containers, the extraction of more than 1.250.000 tons of raw materials (mainly silica sand, sodium carbonate, and limestone) was avoided—an amount that has been compared to almost 124 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower.
Looking at the provincial level, the efforts of regions like Almería translate into concrete environmental benefits : there alone, glass recycling in 2025 prevented the emission of some 4.556 tons of CO₂, equivalent to taking more than 2.100 cars off the road for a year. Furthermore, it saved around 5.610 MWh of energy and prevented the extraction of more than 9.400 tons of raw materials—a mass that would exceed the weight of iconic monuments several times over.
These figures serve as a reminder that the everyday act of throwing a bottle in the green recycling bin has a measurable impact on emissions, energy consumption, and resource conservation. In fact, various campaigns emphasize how a small number of containers—for example, ten recycled bottles—can be equivalent to the energy consumption of a mobile phone for many months.
The current state of glass recycling in Spain shows a system that works, with a network of more than 260.000 containers, data-driven technology, specific programs for neighborhoods and the hospitality sector, and an overall rate that already exceeds European targets. At the same time, differences between regions, the lower recycling rate among young people, and the need to continue strengthening source separation in cities like Toledo, Granada, and Almería present clear challenges for the coming years, in which every container that reaches the green recycling bin will continue to make a difference.
