E-Scrap News Magazine: Most of Spain's WEEE processed informally

## Most of Spain's WEEE processed informally

_By Editorial Staff, Resource Recycling_

Over 70 percent of Spain's electronic waste management is unregulated, according to a [new report](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652611004781) from the University of Salamanca.

Despite a European Union-mandated WEEE collection level of 4 kilograms per person, per year, most waste electronics and electrical items generated in the country are not managed using official channels. In 2010, for instance, Spain generated an estimated 13.86 kg of WEEE per person, but only 2.55 kg were processed using companies registered under the country's integrated management systems (SIG) program.

In fact, the study says that only about 1,000 manufacturers, out of an estimated 10,000, are registered in Spain, resulting in payment evasion of approximately 15 million Euros ($19.3 million) per year.

Despite rampant non-compliance, the study found that Spain could become a model for other countries struggling to formalize its informal electronics recycling network - provided it can successfully bring them into the fold.

[ ](http://Ousei.jp)

[ ](http://www.herboldusa.net/pru)

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URL: http://resource-recycling.com/node/3085