Catalonia is among the top three European countries in the recycling of household waste

Barcelona (ACN.) - Catalonia is among the top three European countries in the recycling of household packaging, with about 220,000 tonnes collected in 2013, according to the CEO of Ecoembes, Oscar Martin. Speaking at the opening of the first ‘Congress of Sustainable Catalonia’ on Friday, Martin also announced that 84% of Catalans separate waste either every day or almost every day, in what he called an “act of civility.” Ecoembes is a Spanish environmental organisation that concentrates on the ‘ecodesign’ or packaging so it can be more easily recycled. The first 'Congress on Sustainable Catalonia: Society and the Environment’ has been organised by the Catalan Department of Planning and Sustainability, in collaboration with Ecoembes, in order to analyse the trends in sustainability and the environment. 

The 'Congress on Sustainable Catalonia: Society and Environment ' opened on Friday 27 June. Oscar Martin began by affirming the event’s commitment to recycling and sustainable growth, and explained that the efficient disposal of waste was key to ensuring the sustainability and improved quality of life for people. He also stressed the importance of ending the unfortunate correlation between economic growth and increased waste, in order to move towards a "flowing economy".

To meet this challenge, Martin called for greater collaboration between citizens and institutions, as recycling provides solutions with economic effects for society and for the environment. He also talked about generating "great" energy savings and economic development opportunities.

In 2013, the whole of Spain produced 1.2 tonnes of recycled household packaging, saving more than 13 million CO2 emissions and more than 440,000 raw materials. According to the CEO of Ecoembes, recycling has now become a "habit among the citizens."

The Catalan Minister of Planning and Sustainability, Santi Vila, also described the challenge of creating a development model based on sustainable growth. He also talked about a "change of values ​​and spirit" among citizens who now associate environmental sustainability with progress.