Criminal Network Behind Illegal Plastic Waste Trade Dismantled by Spanish Authorities

The Civil Guard said there was suspicion of involvement of "a number of companies related to the management of plastic waste" in Spain, France, and also in Portugal.

For years, environmentally harmful plastic waste from Europe is said to have been brought to the most remote corners of the world by tons. The authorities in Spain are now putting an end to the illegal business.

A study by UB and UPC has estimated that in recent years the number of micro and macroplastics leaving the Llobregat and Besòs rivers and the discharges of unitary systems (DSU) — the combined discharge points of sewage and rainwater on the coast of Barcelona — is approximately 40 billion particles per year, equivalent to about 7 tons. Most of these residues come from the Llobregat River, which pours about 28 billion particles per year (4.4 tons…

Spanish police have broken up a gang that was illegally exporting 41,000 tons of plastic waste to third countries.

Five people had been arrested, and about 15 more were investigated, according to the corresponding notification from the Guardia Civil police unit.The waste, which is difficult to recycle and is hazardous to the environment, is said to have been transported, traded and stored without authorisation.In Spain, it was deposited, among other things, at three unapproved landfills in the regions of León and Valencia.In cooperation with Europol and the …

For years, environmentally harmful plastic waste from Europe is said to have been brought to the most remote corners of the world by tons. The authorities in Spain are now putting an end to the illegal business.