Spain’s evolving waste management framework and the growing role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes will be under the spotlight at The International Recovery and Recycling Fair (SRR 2026), taking place in Madrid on 10 June
Jointly organised by the Spanish Federation for Recycling and Recovery (FER), Tratamiento de Neumáticos Usados (TNU) and IFEMA Madrid, the technical conference titled “Waste Management and Recovery in Spain: Challenges, Opportunities and the Role of Producer Responsibility Organisations,” will bring together leading Producer Responsibility Organisations (known in Spain as SCRAPs), recycling associations, waste managers and public authorities to examine the impact of new European circular economy legislation.
The conference comes at a time of significant regulatory change across Europe as new rules are reshaping how manufacturers and producers manage products at the end of their life cycles, introducing stricter requirements around eco-design, eco-modulation fees and operational responsibilities under EPR systems.
A key theme throughout the afternoon will be how these changes will affect producers, recyclers and collective compliance schemes. For the first time at SRR 2026, the event will bring together many of Spain’s leading SCRAPs alongside major national recycling and recovery associations, creating what organisers describe as a landmark forum for sector-wide dialogue.
The programme will cover a broad range of waste streams, including tyres, offering attendees a comprehensive overview of both regulatory challenges and emerging opportunities.
Among the highlights will be a panel discussion called “The Future of EPR in Europe: A Mature Model or a System in Transition?” which will examine how new European legislative initiatives are set to impact producers, manufacturers and collective compliance schemes operating under EPR frameworks. Moderated by Antonio Castro-Villacañas, Head of Regulatory and Sustainability at FER, the panel will feature Laura Sanz de Siria, Managing Director, IMPLICA; Alicia García-Franco, Managing Director, FER; Javier de Jesús, Operations Director, TNU; Esperanza Hidalgo, Deputy Director, REPACAR; and Ainhoa Lizarbe Ortín, Director of Institutional Relations and Communications, GENCI.
“Strategic EPR Design: Material Streams and Effective Eco-Modulation” will explore the practical implementation of eco-design and eco-modulation fees, two tools expected to play an increasingly important role in improving the sustainability and effectiveness of waste management systems. The session will be moderated by Antonio Castro-Villacañas, with speakers including Ester Abascal Iglesias, Secretary General, ANREPA; Juan Ros, Director, ENVALORA; Óscar Hernández, Managing Director, ANARPLA and Pilar Arrayás, Director, CARTÓN CIRCULAR.
“Green Public Procurement: Driving Demand for Recycled Materials” session will explore how public authorities can use sustainable procurement policies to stimulate demand for recycled materials and support the transition towards a circular economy. Moderated by Elena Galante, Director of the Spanish Circular Economy Observatory at the Club for Excellence in Sustainability, the discussion will feature Julio Lorente, Head of Legal Services and Training, FER; Marta Martínez Guerra, Director General for Services, MITECO (Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge) and Javier de Jesús, Operations Director, TNU.
The SRR 2026 conference is particularly relevant for manufacturers, producers, sustainability professionals, environmental managers, legal advisers, waste operators and public-sector representatives seeking to understand the implications of the latest European regulatory developments. The conference will take place from 16:00 to 19:00 at the Pavilion 7 Auditorium during SRR 2026 in Madrid.
Registration must be completed through IFEMA Madrid’s official accreditation platform by selecting the “Permanent Professional Visitor Pass” option, which is normally priced at €19.80. Industry professionals can get free admission by entering the promotional code TNU_RR26 during the registration process.
