To mark the World Recycling Day, which is celebrated every May 17th with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of proper waste management, the Paper Forum has presented the results of its 'Dissemination study on paper products', Prepared by IO Investigación, the report analyzes citizens' perceptions of paper and cardboard products, focusing on aspects such as their recyclability and their contribution to the circular economy.
The study reveals that one of the keys to the success of paper and cardboard recycling in Spain is the high level of citizen involvement. 85,5% of Spaniards say they regularly recycle these materials at home—more than half (53%) say they always do, and 32,5% say they do it often. In fact, paper and cardboard are perceived as being among the materials that are recycled most frequently and effectively in Spain (34,9%), along with glass.
This high level of public engagement is fundamental to the smooth operation of the paper and cardboard recycling system in our country. According to data compiled by ASPAPEL, 5,2 million tons of paper and cardboard were recycled in Spain in 2024, bringing the recycling rate to 83,6%. This result is due to a well-established system that combines selective collection at the commercial, industrial, and municipal levels. Thus, although only 15,1% of those surveyed believe that Spain recycles more paper and cardboard than the rest of Europe, the data places Spain as the third country with the highest volume of recycled paper and cardboard on the continent, behind only Germany and Italy.
Beyond recycling, the study also reveals a broadly positive perception of these materials in Spain. 66,3% of respondents consider paper and cardboard products more sustainable than those made from other materials, associating them with values such as naturalness, trustworthiness, and quality. This trend continues in the packaging sector, with 46,8% identifying paper and cardboard as the most sustainable option.
As pointed out Manuel Domínguez, spokesperson for the Paper Forum“On World Recycling Day, it’s worth focusing on what already works and delivers tangible results. Paper and cardboard have been the quintessential circular materials for decades. They are recovered, recycled, and continuously reintroduced into the production cycle. This consolidated and efficient system now places our country among the leading European countries.”
Through this study, the Paper Forum, an organization comprised of ACE, AFCO, AIFEC, ANELE, ASPACK, Euskadi Paper Cluster Association, ASPAPEL, FEIGRAF, FGEE, the Paper Bag, NEOBIS and Repacar, It seeks to gauge consumer habits and society's perception of paper products, within the framework of its work to promote the value of these materials in everyday life.
In addition to its contribution to the circular economy, the study highlights the significant presence of paper and cardboard in our daily lives. Nearly half the population (48,7%) perceives that the use of paper and cardboard is increasing, especially in relation to e-commerce and parcel delivery, while 45,3% believe that these materials maintain a stable presence in their daily lives.
In terms of usage, 92% of consumers report frequently using toilet paper and sanitary products (toilet paper, tissues, napkins, etc.), and 80% regularly use paper and cardboard packaging. Regarding printed materials, paper remains the preferred medium for reading, with 45,7% of Spaniards stating they prefer printed books.
