Spanish public administrations now have a new tool designed to Recycled plastic gains prominence in public procurementThis is a specific guide that translates circular economy objectives in specific criteria that can be directly integrated into the tender documents.
The document originates in a context in which Public procurement accounts for approximately 14% of the European Union's GDP and between 10% and 15% of GDP in Spain, making it a key instrument for increasing the demand for recycled materials and move towards the European goals of doubling the circularity rate to 24% by 2030.
A guide to facilitate the use of recycled plastic in public procurement
The new Guide to promoting recycled plastic in public procurement It has been developed by Veolia in collaboration with the University of A Coruña Foundation and the National Association of Plastic Recyclers (ANARPLA). It is geared in a very practical way towards the contracting authorities of different levels of government, from the national to the local.
Its main purpose is overcoming technical and legal barriers which still hinder the inclusion of recycled materials in many public contracts. To address this, the document offers a set of environmental requirements and criteria that entities can directly incorporate into their tenders, without needing to design them from scratch.
These criteria are designed to be integrated into the administrative and technical specifications, so that the administrations can introduce clauses linked to the use of recycled plastic with legal certainty and regulatory support. The idea is that any organization, even with limited resources, can advance circular economy policies without additional complications.
Behind the creation of the guide lies the conviction that Having industrial recycling capacity is not enough.It is essential to generate a stable demand for recycled materials. Public procurement is thus presented as one of the most direct levers for consolidating this market.
Eight sector-specific fact sheets for direct application in contracts
One of the most outstanding elements of the document is its structure in eight sector-specific fact sheets for direct applicationEach one includes examples of products, services or projects where the use of recycled plastic can be prioritized, along with ready-to-use environmental clause proposals.
The fact sheets cover a wide range of common areas in public procurement, including the design, construction and management of office buildings and other worksIn this field, solutions are proposed for integrate recycled plastic materials in building elements, enclosures, installations or equipment.
Another area covered is the road design projectswhere recycled plastic can be incorporated into certain components, drainage solutions or road safety elements, always under applicable technical criteria and standards.
The guide also stops at the urban and office furniture, a terrain with great potential to increase the recycled material content in benches, waste bins, canopies, signage, tables or chairs, among many other products present in streets, parks and administrative buildings.
It also includes instructions for parks and gardens, cleaning products and services, food and catering, containers and bins, and textile productsIn all these cases, purchasing criteria are proposed that prioritize recycled plastic content, always adapted to the characteristics of the sector and the regulatory framework.
Two levels of ambition to suit each administration
Aware that not all entities are at the same starting point, the guide defines Two levels of ambition: basic and advancedThis phased approach aims to facilitate the gradual incorporation of circular economy criteria based on the level of experience and resources of each administration.
The basic level offers minimum requirements acceptable to most organizationseven by those who have barely worked with recycled materials. This is a first step towards introducing percentages of recycled plastic or additional valuations in the awarding phase.
The advanced level, meanwhile, is designed for entities with more demanding sustainability goals or with greater management capacity. This involves higher percentages of recycled material, additional scoring criteria, or more detailed technical requirements for bidders.
This dual scale allows the tool to be usable by a wide range of administrations, from large ministries and autonomous communities to medium or small municipalities that wish to take firm steps towards the circular economy.
Public procurement as a lever for the circular economy and strategic autonomy
The guide is based on the idea that Public procurement can act as a driver of demand for recycled plasticIn a European context where the aim is to double the circularity rate by 2030, taking advantage of this volume of contracting is considered a key opportunity to transform the market.
In the case of Spain, it is worth remembering that The country holds a prominent position in plastic recycling capacity. within Europe. Maintaining and strengthening this industrial base, especially at a time when the EU's strategic autonomy is gaining importance, depends on ensuring stable outlets for recycled material.
The tool developed by Veolia, the University of A Coruña Foundation and ANARPLA is being launched, as the sector emphasizes, a clear signal to the market about institutional commitment with recycled plastic. At the same time, it reinforces the role of public administrations as driving forces of change towards more circular models.
By placing public demand at the center, the guide not only aims to promote the effective use of recycled materialbut also to reduce dependence on external raw materials and contribute to the climate and sustainability goals set by the European Union.
Legal certainty, technical knowledge and continuous improvement
Another aspect the document addresses is the need to provide legal certainty and technical knowledge to those who manage procurement files. A significant part of the reluctance to include advanced environmental criteria is due precisely to doubts about their correct formulation or legal fit.
By providing reference texts, example clauses and environmental criteria already testedThe guide aims to reduce this uncertainty and provide contracting authorities with greater support. This will help to better leverage public procurement capacity to support the recycling industry.
The publication of the document is not conceived as an end point, but as the beginning of a phased implementation processIt is expected that, as administrations use it, experiences can be gathered, criteria adjusted, and new best practices added.
This approach to continuous improvement will allow adapt the content of the guide to technological evolution of industrial solutions and the plastics recycling sector itself. The goal is for it to remain a dynamic and up-to-date reference, aligned with regulatory changes and market innovations.
To facilitate access, the complete guide has been made available to administrations and any interested party through Free download from the Veolia websiteThis aims to broaden its scope beyond large public buyers and also involve local entities and other bodies with contracting capacity.
With this tool, the public sector has a concrete resource to ensure that the circular economy ceases to be an abstract concept and translates into tender specifications capable of promoting the use of recycled plastic in Spain and throughout the European Union, taking advantage of the real weight that public procurement has in economic activity.
