Demonstrating the electronic garbage collection plan in the CAPV

1999/03/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ingurumena

The Electronic Waste Collection and Recycling Plan implemented in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country is the first of its kind in Spain, and is being used as a test to establish a future garbage collection standard in the European Union. In the last four years, 475 tons of electronic waste have been collected, mainly computer equipment, television, transistors and music and video equipment. 75% of the total waste has been recycled.

It began as a limited pilot experience to the centre of Bilbao. It was similar to other European cities, but in view of the good results, the Basque Government decided to expand it to the entire ACBC. This essay, which is part of the EU Priority Waste Programme, proposes the need to analyse the social response and economic cost in 2000 through pilot experiences in different cities.