Spain's municipal material recycling sector has shown a generally positive trend from 2013 through 2023, increasing from 3.28 million metric tons in 2013 to 4.47 million metric tons in 2023. The sector faced fluctuations, notably a significant decrease in 2021 and smaller declines in other years like 2018, but these were offset by notable growth years including 2019 and 2022. The sector's five-year CAGR for the period ending in 2023 is 2.19%. Forecasts suggest a continued steady growth rate with a forecasted five-year CAGR of 1.39% from 2024 to 2028, culminating in 4.88 million metric tons by 2028.
Future trends to watch for include the impact of policy changes on recycling rates, technological advancements in recycling processes, and public awareness campaigns' effectiveness. The sector’s adaptation to circular economy principles could also significantly influence the volume and efficiency of material recycling in Spain.
