Spain leads the European ranking in terms of urban waste deposited in landfills, with 47% of the total, representing approximately 11 million tons per year, according to the Ministry for Ecological Transition.
Recycling is still insufficient:
- Only 21% of waste is reused.
- 22% is destined for composting.
- The remaining 10% is incinerated.
One of the main problems is the limited separation at the source, since 78% of the waste is collected mixed, making treatment and recycling more challenging. This distances the country from the objectives of the European Union, which demands a reduction to 10% of municipal waste ending up in landfills by 2035.
The brown container and the commitment to biogas
Starting from 2024, all urban centers with more than 5,000 inhabitants must have a brown container, intended for organic and biodegradable waste, aiming to utilize these waste for composting or clean energy generation.
Biogas, a renewable energy produced through anaerobic digestion, is still an underexploited alternative in Spain. This process uses bacteria that break down organic matter, generating a gas composed of methane and carbon dioxide, which can be used as fuel or to generate electricity.
While Europe has over 20,000 biogas plants and about 1,500 biomethane plants, Spain only has 200 installations, far below leading countries like Germany.
New biomethane plant in Madrid: a step towards sustainability
Spain will soon add a biomethane plant in Colmenar Viejo, operated by PreZero and Enagás Renovables.
This facility will have a production capacity of 60 GWh per year, enough to supply 11,700 households or 30,000 people, more than half of the local population.
Innovative technology and emissions reduction
The project will integrate pressurized circuits with biofilters, preventing the emission of toxic gases and reducing unpleasant odors, a common issue in other treatment plants.
According to Antonio Illescas, Business Development Director at Enagás Renovables, this initiative will reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and decrease CO₂ emissions by 15,000 tons annually.
Additionally, the project will drive economic and social development, creating 21 direct jobs and over 90 indirect jobs.
A sustainable model for urban waste management
The implementation of biogas infrastructure in Spain represents a step towards decarbonization and efficient waste management.
As processes are optimized, the country could better leverage its biowaste potential and establish itself as a reference in renewable energy and circular economy.
