Spanish Circular Economy Strategy 2030 (EEEC 2030)

The Spanish Circular Economy Strategy 2030 (EEEC 2030, Estrategia Española de Economía Circular 2030) is Spain's national strategic framework for transforming the linear economic model, based on extract, produce, consume and discard, into a circular, resource-efficient and climate-neutral model.

Approved in June 2020, the strategy aligns Spain with the European Green Deal, the EU Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) and the goals of the 2030 Agenda. It aims to drive a structural change in how Spain produces, consumes and manages materials, water and energy, embedding the principles of prevention, reuse, repair, recycling, eco-innovation and efficient resource use. It is delivered through three-year action plans and supported by key legislation such as Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soils and the regional waste management plans.

Background and rationale

Spain is a highly import-dependent economy for raw materials, with landfill rates above the European average. In 2020, national circularity stood at around 10%, against an EU average of about 12.8%, while the material footprint and waste footprint were trending upwards. Against this backdrop, the EEEC 2030 sets out structural measures to:

• Reduce the extraction of virgin resources.
• Promote ecodesign and extend product lifespans.
• Boost reuse and markets for secondary materials.
• Improve waste management and reduce landfilling.
• Strengthen industrial resilience and security of supply.

Quantitative targets for 2030

The strategy sets six headline targets based on environmental indicators:

30% cut in national material consumption

Against 2010 levels, in line with reducing the material footprint.

15% reduction in waste generation

Per capita, compared with 2010.

Significant reduction in landfilling

Converging with EU obligations: less than 10% of municipal waste to landfill by 2035.

More reuse and preparation for reuse

Especially for electrical and electronic equipment, textiles, furniture and packaging.

10% improvement in water efficiency

Promoting water reuse and efficient management of the urban water cycle.

50% reduction in food waste

Across households, restaurants, retail and supply chains.

These targets sit alongside binding sector goals derived from the Waste Framework Directive and sector regulations (electronic waste, packaging, vehicles, batteries, used oils).

Priority sectors

The strategy identifies six key sectors with high material use and circular potential:

1. Construction and building: reuse of materials, recycling of construction and demolition waste, and ecodesign of buildings.
2. Agri-food, fisheries and forestry: food-waste prevention and recovery of agricultural by-products.
3. Manufacturing: efficient production and substitution of virgin materials with recycled ones.
4. Consumer goods and textiles: reuse and repair, and new rental and refill models.
5. Tourism: less packaging waste and circular management in hospitality.
6. Public and administrative services: green public procurement and incentives for circular companies.

Cross-cutting lines of action

The EEEC 2030 is structured around seven cross-cutting priorities: production and ecodesign; responsible consumption; advanced waste management; secondary raw materials; water reuse; innovation and digitalisation; and awareness and training. In production, it draws on the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the Digital Product Passport. In waste, it relies on mandatory separate collection, certification of recycled materials and digital traceability.

Associated legislation

The strategy is reinforced by key legislative reforms:

• Law 7/2022 on waste, which introduces a tax on landfilling and incineration, extended producer responsibility obligations, and new streams such as textile and furniture waste.
• Royal Decree 553/2020 on waste shipments.
• Regional waste plans.
• Forthcoming regulations on packaging, batteries, vehicles and electronic waste.

Three-year action plans

The EEEC 2030 is delivered through three-year action plans that set out specific measures, budgets and responsible bodies, each with its own indicators, timetable and monitoring. The first plan (2021-2023), for example, covered the mandatory roll-out of separate bio-waste collection, the development of secondary materials markets, and fiscal measures for reusable products.

Key monitoring indicators

Official indicators linked to the strategy include the material footprint, the recycling and preparation-for-reuse rate, the landfill rate, water consumption per unit of output, the share of secondary materials, food waste and resource intensity relative to GDP. These allow progress to be assessed and regulation to be adjusted.

Link with EU circular economy policy

The EEEC 2030 is aligned with the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Green Deal, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, the Waste Framework Directive and the EU Taxonomy, ensuring coherence between national policy and European requirements on circularity and climate neutrality.

Expected impact

• Lower use of raw materials.
• A sustained fall in waste generation.
• More recycling and reuse.
• Less landfilling and lower GHG emissions.
• Greater industrial competitiveness and green jobs.
• Biodiversity conservation.

Current challenges

• Limited harmonisation between regions.
• A lack of reuse infrastructure.
• Dependence on imported materials.
• A low national circularity rate.
• Difficulty scaling secondary materials markets.

How Manglai helps

Tracking circularity and the emissions linked to materials and waste depends on reliable data. At Manglai we help companies measure their carbon footprint and prepare their sustainability reporting, turning these obligations into auditable figures. Discover how Manglai can help you.