Recent findings show that packaging recycling is most pronounced among people over 55, single individuals, large families, and women in Spain. The study, conducted by Ecoembes through its sociological research program, highlights that these groups lead in placing containers in dedicated recycling spaces at home and actively participate in the yellow bin for plastic bottles, cartons, and rigid packaging.
Additionally, the results reveal that 82.9 percent of respondents report having a designated spot at home to drop off containers when recycling. This marks a notable rise of nearly ten percentage points since 2015, when 72.5 percent of Spaniards said they recycled daily. Across households, the norm is to maintain multiple containers, with the typical home owning about three receptacles or bags for separating waste to extend the life of materials through recycling, averaging 3.2 units per household.
Ecoembes Communications and Marketing Director Snow King remarked that recycling has become a firmly established habit in Spanish society over many years. He emphasized that the data give reason for optimism about the future and reinforce the commitment to continue supporting recycling initiatives.
On sociological grounds, the study notes that waste separation is a widespread practice among citizens, though participation varies by autonomous community. It also points out age-based patterns in ongoing recycling habits. Individuals aged 55 and older, described as the most enduring recyclers, show the highest engagement with 84.9 percent, followed by the 35 to 54 age group at 82.5 percent and youth aged 16 to 24 at 81.9 percent. Citizens aged 26 to 34 record the lowest level of habitual recyclers among the groups examined, at 78.1 percent.
When examining social groups, singles stand out as the most committed to separate household waste, with 83.9 percent participation. Married individuals and widows closely follow with 83.1 percent each, illustrating a broad-based dedication to recycling across domestic life stages.
Regarding family structure, households with five or more members show the strongest recycling commitment at 86.7 percent, surpassing the overall average of 82.9 percent. Gender differences also emerge: about 84 percent of Spanish women report having multiple home recycling areas, including a dedicated yellow container for plastic packaging, compared with roughly 81 percent of men. These patterns reflect a gendered nuance in home-based recycling practices.
The study observes that society has fewer doubts about waste separation, yet some confusion persists about specific container types. Ninety percent of respondents clearly identify the blue recycling box, while yellow containers cause some ambiguity, particularly around identifying plastic bottles, tubs, cans, and various plastic packaging. Aerosol cans and certain trays may still cause confusion. Nonetheless, the rate of households using the yellow bin has risen by almost ten percentage points over the last seven years, demonstrating a steady shift toward more comprehensive sorting at home.