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Date Published: 02/01/2025

New packaging rules in Spain should make recycling easier

All products in Spain must now specify exactly how they are to be disposed of

In the last 12 months, Spain has made great strides in reducing plastic waste and encouraging recycling. All plastic bottles now have non-removable caps and by 2026, the government will revive a scheme that's been a staple of environmentally conscious countries for years: the ‘deposit, return and refund’ system for single-use plastic bottles.

While all of these initiatives are undeniably positive, the reality is that many people are unsure of which bin their household waste should go into. Moreover, lots of products are made from more than one material, so which is the correct container for these?

In general, the information that appears on packaging varies depending on the type of product. If it is food, the packaging must include information such as the name of the product, ingredients, information on allergens, expiration date and origin, among others.

For cleaning products, the mandatory information includes the brand name, name of the product, its intended use, manufacturer information and, very importantly, the instructions for use or warnings of incompatibility with other products.

As of January 1, new requirements have been added to this information. These measures, established in Royal Decree 1055/2022, are another key step towards a more sustainable economy and more transparent waste management.

So, what’s new?

The new regulations require that all packaging include clear and precise information on its management at the end of its useful life. One of the main changes is that packaging must indicate the appropriate bin for its disposal.

If a package is made up of several separable materials, each material must have the corresponding container indicated. In cases where the materials are not separable, the packaging must indicate the container for the predominant material.

In addition, reusable packaging must include the Deposit, Return and Refund System (DRS) symbol, a measure aimed at encouraging reuse and reducing waste generation.

Compostable plastic packaging must also include certification in accordance with the UNE EN 13432:2001 standard, which guarantees its compostability under specific conditions.

As for single-use packaging and products, these must also be clearly marked. These products include:

Sanitary pads, tampons and tampon applicators.
Wet wipes for personal hygiene and domestic use.
Tobacco products with filters.
Drinks glasses.

Other relevant aspects

A ban on the use of terms such as ‘environmentally friendly’ or equivalent expressions on packaging labels will also come into force, in order to avoid confusion and encourage proper disposal practices by consumers.

In addition to the mandatory data, the regulations allow the inclusion of voluntary information, such as:

The material from which the packaging is made.
The recyclability of the packaging.
The amount of recycled material contained.
The SCRAP accreditation symbol, which indicates that the responsible company pays for the management of the waste for recycling.

Also of interest: Cigarettes and tobacco go up in price across Spain

Image: Pixabay

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