Frequently asked questions

Building on the fact that the best waste is the one that is not generated, Ecoembes has a clear waste hierarchy, according to which waste reduction has priority over reuse and in turn reuse over recycling. However, the waste management framework also states this hierarchy could change bearing in mind the general principles of caution and sustainability in the scope of environmental protection, technical and economic feasibility, as well as a set of social, economic and environmental impacts.

In this regard, reducing, reusing and recycling packaging are complementary non-excluding activities. The lighter packaging is, the more it reduces the use of raw materials and, therefore, the less waste it will generate at the end of its useful life. If that same packaging can be reused, it will be used more times before it breaks, and in turn it could be repaired or not. If it cannot be repaired, it is preferable to recycle that packaging’s materials rather than sending it to a controlled dumpster.