The document, presented under the framework of the Permanent Forum on Circular Economy in the Natural History Bureau, is based on an analysis carried out using quantitative markers related to this economic model such as waste management, production and consumption fees or the market of reusable raw materials.

In the words of the representatives of the technical team at the Sustainability Observatory, Carlos Alfonso and Fernando Prieto, this work has been carried out with the objective of informing the public in general, but also of helping political leaders and business sectors to make decisions for the transition towards a Circular Economy.

“The topic is extraordinarily complex”, they explained, however, “it presents numerous opportunities, therefore the need for greater understanding and for staying up-to-date on the transition towards an economy that leads to economic, social and environmentally sustainable development in the European Union seems evident.”

Preserving global resources

According to the Annual Report, and with the objective of preserving global resources, creating employment and generating competitive advantages, the Circular Economy “aims to close the material cycles of the economy and to minimise its use, the use of soil, the changed use of the land, the use of water, of energy, of greenhouse gas emissions and other emissions, the effects on biodiversity and the production of waste”.

“The Circular Economy is the next great evolution, but it must always be based on data and sincerity. On data for science and for awareness”, stated the Director of the Natural History Bureau, Luis Miguel Domínguez.

Román Martín, Director of Institutional Relations at SIGNUS, made a similar statement, making the case for a more stable and integral regulation and for promoting control and supervision measures, regulating the End of Waste Condition. The importance of education to achieve suitable application of the Circular Economy is another of the keys which were debated at the round table, as highlighted by the Strategy Manager at ECOEMBES, Silvia Ayerbe.

Spain must continue to improve

The main conclusions of the report indicate that Spain presents a deficient position in the general quantitative evaluation based on the 16 markers selected by EUROSTAT to measure the Circular Economy. Specifically, it holds the 10th place in the ranking of the EU-15 (the document includes the full data of 13 countries) and the 14th place out of 24 countries in the EU regarding these markers.

With regards to the management of municipal waste, Spain is among the lowest ranks of the EU-15 in overall recycling (only ahead of Greece), with 29.7% in 2016 and having decreased 10 points since 2008. However, with regards to the recycling rate for packaging waste (which already reaches 70.3%), Spain has exceeded the goal set by the EU for 2030, of 70%.

In the case of the use of secondary raw materials and recycled materials and the demand and trade, Spain is positioned in 16th place out of 24 countries with full data and 3.7 percentage points below the European average.

For employment related to the Circular Economy, the document shows that Spain occupies a strong position, in second place, only behind Italy, however in private investment it is holds the 5th lowest position out of the EU-28.