The Basque Government – through Ihobe, its environmental management agency – has published the latest Basque Country’s Environmental Profile 2025, whose main theme is municipal solid waste. The report puts the Basque Country at the forefront of sustainable waste management and comes to a clear conclusion: we are increasingly recycling more and less is ending up in landfill. 

The new report – presented today by the Basque Deputy Minister for the Environment, Josu Bilbao, and by the Ihobe General manager, Alexander Boto – positions the Basque Country under the European average in terms of the municipal solid waste generated per person: 503 kg compared to the 513 Kg of the EU27. Nearly half the waste (45.3%) is also collected separately.

The document stresses that municipal solid waste are now a strategic source of resources in a Europe that is ever more dependent on external raw materials, and that their correct management is key to advance in the circular economy, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and protect the marine environment.

Ihobe has published the Basque Country’s Environmental Profile 2025, an annual report on the environmental performance of the territory; this year’s main theme has been municipal solid waste

‘Separating correctly at home and putting the waste in the correct container is key for the Basque Country to continue to be an example in waste management. This means that Basque citizens separate the waste into paper, glass, packaging and organic matter, among others, at home, so that it can be recycled or better used’, explained the Basque Deputy Minister for the Environment, Josu Bilbao. 

In turn, Alexander Boto stressed that ‘separating and recycling waste helps to look after the environment, save resources and means less pollution. The more we separate and recycle, the less rubbish ends up in landfill and the more materials can be used to manufacture new products. The Basque Country is advancing, but there is still work to be done, particularly when it comes to improving separate collection and recycling’. 

The report also highlights how well the Basque Country is performing as only 16.9% of municipal solid waste ends up in landfill, compared to 23% as the European average. The Basque Country has waste-to-energy, composting and recycling plants distributed all over its territory, which helps to better harness the waste and reduce the environmental impact. This reflects the Basque Government’s commitment to the circular economy and to converting waste to resources, advancing towards a more sustainable and efficient model.

Challenges to be addressed

42.4% of all the waste collected is recycled or reused, for example, it is turned into compost and the paper, glass, plastic, etc. are recycled. 

However, the report pinpoints some issues where further progress is required. The main challenge in managing municipal solid waste is to give a second life to items by means of reusing and repairing; better use of food so it does not end up in waste; of improving the collection and processing of furniture and other bulky waste; requiring companies to shoulder their part of responsibility in managing the products that they market; and, above all, by fostering citizen awareness so that everybody knows how to separate and reduce their waste.

Josu Bilbao: ‘We must shift from rubbish to value. At a time when Europe is searching for solutions for the lack of raw materials, the Basque Country is making progress in turning its municipal solid waste into an opportunity to create jobs and protect the planet’

‘Efficiently managing municipal solid waste is fundamental for the Basque Country’s green transition’, stressed Josu Bilbao, who concluded by saying that ‘we must shift from rubbish to value. At a time when Europe is searching for solutions for the lack of raw materials, the Basque Country is making progress in turning its municipal solid waste into an opportunity to create jobs and protect the planet’.

About the Basque Country’s Environmental Profile   

The Basque Country’s Environmental Profile is a diagnostic tool prepared annually by Ihobe, which comes under the Basque Government’s Ministry of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability, to report on the evolution of the state of the environment in the territory. 

Each year it is dedicated solely to a specific theme. Its goal is to offer a clear vision based on indicators on the environmental situation, and the progress and challenges regarding the environmental policies.