Organic waste management It is one of the key elements in the transition towards more sustainable cities and territories within Spain. Both large cities and medium-sized municipalities and small towns are implementing or consolidating measures to improve the collection, treatment, and use of biowaste. This trend not only responds to the European Union objectives regarding the circular economy, but also to the growing public awareness of the need to reduce the environmental impact of household waste.
In this context, different projects and actions have been presented throughout the country that seek to enhance the assessment of the organic fraction through the implementation of new collection systems, the updating of infrastructure, and the incorporation of new technologies for energy recovery and composting.
Innovative projects to take advantage of the organic fraction
One of the most ambitious initiatives stands out in Zaragoza, where the future construction of a pioneer plant which will transform unrecovered waste from conventional treatment into high-value elements, such as hydrogen and methanolThis facility will complement the city's recent projects, such as the Circular Biocarbon project and the new dedicated organic waste treatment line, both supported by European subsidies.
Zaragoza's objective The goal is to achieve 100% urban waste recovery, either by reusing materials, generating energy, or transforming molecules. In addition to avoiding landfilling or incineration, the project aims to move toward Zero Waste and contribute to the city's circular economy, all without increasing CO2 emissions. The plant seeks to be self-financing through the sale of methanol to the chemical industry, thus promoting the project's economic sustainability.
Extension of selective collection and citizen improvements
In different municipalities, such as Santa Cruz de Tenerife y Alcalá de Henares, the bet is on the expansion of brown containers, exclusively for organic waste from households. In Santa Cruz, the 29% increase in the collection of this waste in just one year reflects the neighborhood commitment and the system's efficiency, with a 98% purity rate for deposited waste. To facilitate participation, keys and organic waste kits have been distributed, and access to new containers is planned to be expanded throughout the city.
Similarly, Alcalá de Henares has recently installed 90 new devices in public spaces, in addition to the existing ones, and residents can request their household bin and access key. The goal is to encourage a proper separation at source so that this waste can be converted into compost useful for gardens and fields, keeping it out of landfills and reducing carbon emissions. The lockable opening system also ensures responsible and selective use.
Modernization and expansion of facilities
Projects like the one Gran Canaria South Ecopark They are examples of investments focused on strengthening biowaste treatment capacity. Following recent works financed with island resources and European Next Generation funds, the biological treatment capacity of the organic fraction has increased exponentially, with advanced technologies to maximize the recovery of valuable materials and minimize environmental impact.
The new lines incorporate automatic bag-opening systems, magnetic separators, and equipment for processing light waste, thus adapting to the need to properly manage the growing amount of organic waste generated on the island. A significant increase in treatment capacity is expected, from the current 8.000 tons per year to more than 29.000, which will reduce pressure on landfills and move toward a circular economy.
In the province of Córdoba, more than €1,5 million is being allocated to equip Epremasa with specific machinery for biowaste treatment at its Dos Torres plant, responding to both current regulations and public demand for sustainable solutions. The new facility, designed with ventilation and proper liquid management in mind, will allow organic matter to be transformed into high-quality compost, with direct benefits for local agriculture and the reduction of polluting emissions.
Challenges and postponements in organic collection
Not all municipalities can implement their plans without setbacks. This is the case of Sóller, where the implementation of selective organic waste collection has been postponed until September due to technical problems with the collection fleet, thus avoiding a possible deterioration in the service and uncontrolled dumping on public roads. The council already has brown containers and plans, once the fleet is renewed, to begin door-to-door collection and increase public awareness.
Environmental concerns over large expansions
The authorization to substantially increase the organic waste management capacity at the Tineo plant in Asturias has generated concern among environmental groups and residentsThe increase will allow the treatment of more than 80.000 tons of biowaste per year from across the country, including livestock slurry. However, the management of liquid digestate, rich in nitrogen and potentially polluting, along with the possibility of applying sewage sludge directly to the fields, raises serious questions about the impacts on soil, water, and air.
The complaints focus on the lack of effective measures to control odors and the risk of contamination, calling for environmentally responsible management to prevent medium- and long-term problems, especially given the significant increase in the volume of waste to be treated.
The commitment to the efficient collection and treatment of organic waste is making significant progress in various parts of the country, focusing on the circular economy, technology, and citizen involvement. Responsible management and environmental monitoring will continue to be essential to ensure that the efforts of everyone, from households to large plants, translate into real benefits for the environment and society.
