Recycling in Spain – are we being conned?

OCU placed in 15 used appliances a GPRS to track each one and disposed of them in the 3 ways which are contemplated under Spanish law: 11 were left at official recycling points around Spain, 3 were removed by the company that delivered the new appliance and 1 was returned to the store were the new appliance was bought. The 15 items were followed for 3 months each.

The end result was that many items ended up at scrap yards (not legally authorised to recycle), industrial estates and in fields. One of the fridges which did end up in an authorised recycling plant was sent to one nearly 500 km away when there was one 60 km from where it was picked up.

So, if less than 20% of appliances are being correctly recycled – who is getting the money that you, the consumer, is paying upfront? This is an issue that needs addressing as often it is the consumer who is blamed for not recycling correctly.

Hence OCU is requesting that a full study be carried out regarding this issue, not only regarding what is happening with the appliances (the ecological impact) but also what the manufacturers are doing with our money. 

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