A dozen experts in circular economy and sustainability from the Mataró Circular 2030 Technical Commission decided this during the Forum to review Mataró City Council’s Urban Agenda
The Circular Park is expected to be a reality from spring 2026, marking a turning point in the way we extend the useful life of products, thus reducing waste generation in Mataró and the Maresme region
During the Forum for the review of the Urban Agenda of Mataró City Council, held a few weeks ago, the Mataró Circular 2030 Technical Commission identified the Mataró-Maresme Circular Park as key among those projects voted as contributing most to the circular transformation of the city. This recognition underscores the Circular Park as a benchmark in circular economy and sustainability, highlighting its potential to reduce waste generation, promote the reuse of materials and generate economic and social opportunities.
Rendering of the ‘Remake Area Refer’ of the future Circular Park Mataró-Maresme / Maresme Circular
The Mataró Circular 2030 Technical Commission, is made up of a dozen experts with influence in terms of circular economy and sustainability, among them the Chair of Circular Economy of the Tecnocampus, the Environmental Forum Foundation, the environmental consultancy Inèdit, Aigües de Mataró, the Maresme Waste Consortium and municipal technicians from the Waste Service, cleaning and circular economy and the City Council’s Economic Development Support Office. The Commission met on 27 February in a working session with the aim of analysing the current status of the Mataró Urban Agenda 2030 Local Action Plan strategy and planning its future development, two years after its approval.
Of the 27 projects that make up the Mataró Circular 2030 strategy, the Circular Park is the one that most closely aligns with the challenges of the Urban Agenda in terms of improving quality of life, generating equal opportunities and training and attracting talent; and is therefore one of the projects that stakeholders in the territory believe should be prioritised at a strategic level.
A pioneering project with local and European impact
The Mataró-Maresme Circular Park is a strategic commitment aligned with the European Green Pact and the Spanish Circular Economy Strategy. Located in the Mata-Rocafonda industrial estate in Mataró, it aims to promote the repair and reuse of materials and products to reduce waste production, becoming a pole of attraction for circular economy companies and initiatives, with a strong impact on the social and business fabric of the city.
The first phase of the project includes the Remake Area, a ‘civic centre’ for waste prevention with a set of free services for citizens such as:
– A Library of Things from which to borrow sporadically used objects, such as a drill, which is used for an average of 12 minutes in a lifetime.
– An advice service for auto-repair in different areas (computers and electronic devices, carpentry and furniture, bicycles, textiles, domestic DIY, etc.).
– A kitchen where workshops will be held to show how to prevent food waste.
– A reusable tableware lending service.
– A large second-hand shop.
– A Scrap Store, where various companies will offer their surplus materials for research into eco-design.
– Talks to learn how to throw away less and make better use of what we already have.
The implementation of the first phase also includes a bulky waste treatment area connected to door-to-door collection to maximise its recovery potential. Subsequent phases of the Park will focus on more technological and industrial activities of a private initiative.
Rendering of the ‘Remake Area’ of the future Mataró-Maresme / Maresme Circular Park.
Employment generation and socio-economic impact
The Mataró-Maresme Circular Park will have a strong impact on local employment, with the creation of 381 jobs during its construction and 211 in the operation phase, of which 105 will be for people at risk of social exclusion.
The project is also expected to boost the local business fabric, promoting innovation and the transition to a more sustainable production and consumption model.
The project, promoted by the Maresme Waste Consortium, an entity made up of 28 town councils in the region under the presidency of Mataró, and also with the participation of the Barcelona Provincial Council and the Maresme Regional Council, has an estimated investment of almost €40m from the Maresme consortium town councils (€14.3m), private investment (€14.6m) and subsidies from the Generalitat and Next Generation funds (€11m).
A project recognised and endorsed by experts
The recognition as the most-voted project at the Urban Agenda Forum is evidence of its value as a reference model in the circular economy and urban sustainability. With the start of works on the first phase, the Circular Park is expected to be a reality from spring 2026, marking a turning point in the way we extend the useful life of products in Mataró and the Maresme region.
A model of sustainable and innovative architecture
The construction of the Circular Park, which is already underway, follows the nZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) guidelines to guarantee high energy efficiency. To achieve this, it incorporates passive control solutions to reduce energy consumption throughout its useful life and integrates photovoltaic panels on the roof to generate electricity and solar energy.
The design of the building, carried out by Julià Arquiteces Associats (JAAS), also addresses other key sustainability issues such as the control of its water cycle, the constructive design prioritising the reduction of material consumption and the strategic selection of materials. For example, taking into account that the project will be carried out on land formerly occupied by the Mataró Glassworks Workers’ Cooperative, shattered glass fragments of various colours that accumulated on the plot as waste from the old factory will be used to colour the interior flooring.
Rendering of the ‘Espai Refer’ of the future Mataró-Maresme Circular Park / Maresme Circular
