Spain recycled more than 78,000 tons of aluminum packaging in 2024, a rate of 50.7%.

Madrid, June 30 (EFE).- Spain recycled 78,297 tons of aluminum packaging in 2024, representing a rate of 50.7%, according to data collected by the Association for the Recycling of Aluminum Products (ARPAL) in its 2024 Activity Report.

These figures are calculated according to the new methodology established by Royal Decree 1055/2022 on packaging and packaging waste, which seeks to ensure more sustainable management in the country. The recycled packaging comes from different streams such as sorting plants, urban solid waste (MSW), composting, selective collections outside the home, reclaimers and incinerator slag, and reflects an increase in citizens' environmental awareness, they explain in a statement.

Three decades of commitment

In 2024, ARPAL celebrated 30 years of promoting the recycling of aluminum packaging in Spain, three decades in which more than 5,000 volunteers, instructors, and teachers have been trained; 3,500 workshops have been held; and more than 300,000 children have been reached with educational and outreach activities.

ARPAL has also conducted sector studies, produced 39 videos, generated materials for journalists, and strengthened its presence on social media, achieving an ever-increasing reach among citizens.

One of its pillars has been the annual measurement of recycling outside of conventional channels, a study conducted in collaboration with the Spanish Federation for Recovery and Recycling (FER) and Ecoembes.

Campaigns for tourists and festivities

Looking ahead to the summer of 2025, when a record number of up to 100 million tourists is expected, the association has launched a summer awareness campaign. This campaign, in Spanish and English, is aimed at encouraging visitors to properly dispose of aluminum containers in the yellow bin.

Five micro-videos featuring typical beach characters show what to do with cans, trays, aerosols, pouches, and aluminum foil. The content is shared on social media and can be downloaded from the website.

Guide for journalists and training visits

In collaboration with the Association of Environmental Information Journalists (APIA), ARPAL launched a Guide for Journalists on Aluminum Recycling in 2024, accompanied by a 48-page interactive White Paper.

This tool offers technical information, industry history, interesting facts, and a glossary, and can be accessed from any digital device.

Journalists and institutional representatives also participated in a visit to the Hydro smelter in Azuqueca de Henares (Guadalajara) to learn about the final stage of recycling: aluminum smelting. Two videos summarize the experience and are available on the ARPAL website. EFEverde