Electronic garbage collection campaign

2000/03/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ingurumena

During 1999 the electronic waste collection campaign carried out by the Basque Government in collaboration with Eroski and Indumental Recycling has resulted in 440 tons. Of these, 182 tons have been televisions and 58 tons of computers.

The 75% of the collection has been recycled, with 45% glass, 26% copper and 4% iron. However, the plastic of electronic devices (26 tons) has been taken to landfill since for them there is no economically profitable use.

According to the report of the Department of Environment of the Basque Government 1.800.000 and 2.100.000 kg of appliances will be deposited annually in the garbage during the next 10 years, of which 400.000-700.000 kg will be of industrial origin.