Press Release - April 2026

• The volume of recycled waste was estimated to rise 2.8% in 2025, reaching 22.2 million tonnes, including metal waste, paper and cardboard, wood, glass and plastic.

• The gradual increase in the volume of waste generated and the rising share of materials allocated to reuse continued to support the activity of waste recycling companies in recent years.

• INFORMA's DBK Sectoral Observatory recently published these insights in the 'Waste Recycling' Special Basic Sectoral Report.

Madrid, 9 April 2026.- According to INFORMA's (Cesce's subsidiary) DBK Sectoral Observatory—a leading provider of business, financial, sectoral, and marketing information in Spain and Portugal—the volume of recycled waste—including metal waste, paper and cardboard, wood, glass and plastic—performed positively in 2025, as the share of materials allocated to reuse continued to increase.

In 2025, output stood at around 22.2 million tonnes, up 2.8% year-over-year. Turnover generated by its sale rose to €5.0 billion.

Metal waste accounted for over 60% of total recycled volume, followed by paper and cardboard, which represented just over 20%, with the remainder corresponding to the recycling of wood, glass and plastic.

Exports of scrap and waste edged up in 2025, while imports remained virtually flat in volume terms. In value terms, both variables declined.

The sector's profitability improved in 2024. The aggregate operating margin of 47 of the sector's leading companies stood at 6.2% in 2024 (5.7% in 2023). ROI (return on investment) came in at 12.6% and ROE (return on equity) at 17.8%.

About 350 waste recycling companies operate in the sector, managing around 400 plants, including recycling facilities for metal, paper and cardboard, wood, glass and plastic waste, as well as electrical and electronic equipment.

Most companies in the sector have a single recycling plant, with only a minority managing two or more. Some 62% of companies have fewer than 10 employees, while over 90% have no more than 50.

Spanish private capital predominates in the sector. Nevertheless, it is worth noting the participation, via subsidiaries, of some large groups from different sectors, such as construction or paper groups. 

Data Synthesis, 2025