In full progress towards a more sustainable waste management, paper and cardboard recycling continues to consolidate itself as one of the key pillars of the circular economy. The joint effort of local administrations, private companies and citizens It helps ensure that fibrous resources are utilized to the maximum, avoiding waste and pollution. In recent years, several Spanish cities and some Latin American countries have intensified their recycling campaigns, improving indicators and positioning themselves as leaders in the field.
Recycling paper and cardboard means important environmental and economic benefits, since not only is the amount of waste sent to landfills reduced, but valuable raw material is obtained for new productions. Efficient management requires systems adapted to the reality of each municipality and the active involvement of the population.
Recognitions for excellence in management
Caceres has managed to position itself in the national elite thanks to its continued commitment to the selective collection of paper and cardboardFor the fourth consecutive year, the city has been awarded the highest distinction in the sector: The Three Blue Bow Ties, an award that recognizes good practices in fibrous waste management. This recognition, promoted by entities such as the Spanish Association of Pulp, Paper and Cardboard Manufacturers (ASPAPEL) and REPACAR, is based on the evaluation of 21 key indicators They review everything from collection efficiency to awareness campaigns and the traceability of waste until its final recycling.
Citizen involvement, the work of the concessionaire Valoriza, and municipal planning have been considered strong points in Cáceres's history. This recognition acts as an incentive to maintain quality and continue strengthening environmental protection in the municipality.
Valladolid: economic boost and recycling optimization
Valladolid stands out for its strategies for improving collection and a focus on the economic profitability. In the last five years, around 7.429 tons of paper and cardboard have been recovered annually., maintaining stable volumes thanks to citizen collaboration and good practices. The City Council has developed services such as Door-to-door collection for businesses in pedestrian areas and using blue containers specific for the domestic environment, recommending folding the cardboard properly to avoid collapses.
Recycling of these wastes generates direct income exceeding 364.000 euros per year, derived from the sale of recovered paper and cardboard. Material prices have fluctuated significantly, from just over €6 per ton in 2020 to peaks of up to €100 in 2021, with an average of €49 over the past five years.
Valladolid has also established a network of fixed, mobile and mini-cleaning points, and the separation in eight different fractions to facilitate proper waste treatment. Proper separation at source is essential, as improved recycling and urban sustainability depend on it.
Proximity of containers and awareness campaigns
A key aspect to facilitate recycling is the strategic location of containersAccording to data from Ecoembes, in Spain there are more and more blue containers for paper and cardboard, located at an average distance of 150 meters of households. This deployment responds to sociodemographic and technological studies that allow the network to be adapted to the population's habits and prevent overflows, ensuring that citizens always have a nearby place to deposit their fibrous waste.
The use of technology and artificial intelligence to anticipate changes in consumer habits helps municipalities adjust the location and type of containers, maximizing recycling rates. Furthermore, information and awareness campaigns remain essential tools for improving results and promoting proper source separation.
The private sector: Softys Peru as an example of commitment
Not only public bodies play a role in paper and cardboard recycling; private companies also take on a role. growing responsibilityAn example is Softys Peru, which in recent years has achieved recover more than 84.000 tons of paper and cardboard scraps, increasing its storage capacity by 9,1% compared to the previous period.
The company, through its Paper Recovery unit, reincorporates this waste into its production cycle and manages a collection model based on the Traceability and collaboration with more than 160 suppliers throughout the country. Initiatives such as awareness campaigns and the incorporation of key players in the supply chain reinforce this progress. Softys aims to further increase the volume of recycling, promoting the circular economy and shared responsibility between industry, government, and citizens as key to a more sustainable environment.
Challenges and opportunities in other regions
Although the progress is significant, there are still areas where results do not achieve the desired objectivesFor example, in Vega Baja (Valencian Community), paper and cardboard recycling rates are still lower than the regional and national averages, at 11,78 kilos per inhabitant compared to 17,8 in the region and 18,1 in the province of Alicante. This highlights the need to strengthen source separation and improve infrastructure, such as treatment plants, to meet European targets.
The collaboration of the government, citizen participation, and the coordinated work of associations and social groups are essential for moving toward a more effective circular economy. The key is to separate waste correctly and dispose of it in the appropriate container. This is essential for protecting the environment and avoiding penalties for non-compliance with regulations.
Cities like Cáceres and Valladolid show that a planned management, modern infrastructure and constant awareness They can boost paper and cardboard recycling to significant levels. Furthermore, private collaboration and public-private partnerships open up new opportunities to close cycles and give waste a second life. Although some challenges remain, the positive trend in data and the spread of good practices indicate that a more environmentally friendly future thanks to recycling is possible.