The Recycler Issue 333

WORLD FOCUS
EUROPE WEEE, Spain, Cartridges, Toner Powder, Crime
Spanish Civil Guard finds 5,000 tons
of clandestine waste toner cartridges
Three people are being investigated for this crime against the environment, for seizure of property
and for belonging to a criminal organisation.
Operation “Murton” was launched by
the Civil Guard in the Murcia region in
South East Spain. Following a raid 5,000
tons of used printer toner cartridges
in a clandestine warehouse in Baños y
Mendigo (Murcia). The Civil Guard is
now investigating three people involved
in the management of this waste from
different points of the national geography
such as Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo,
Castellón, Cádiz and Cantabria, among
others, as well as imported from Italy.
According to the Civil Guard “These
hazardous wastes were stacked without
any type of control in a seized industrial
warehouse that lacks extinguishing and
surveillance means.”
The toner cartridges were stacked
without any type of control or the
corresponding labelling in an industrial
warehouse in Baños y Mendigo (Murcia),
which was also seized. The property
also had no means of extinction or
surveillance.
The Civil Guard commented:
“Considered as hazardous waste from
electrical and electronic equipment
(WEEE), the toner cartridges were
stacked in cardboard boxes, in large bags
and scattered on the floor, even spilling
large amounts of ink on the floor.
There are different types of toner,
mostly made of iron and carbon, and
other elements such as chromium,
copper, inorganic cyanides, acrylics,
developer and thermoplastic particles.
Small particles are dangerous because
they can be easily breathed into the lungs
and even into the bloodstream.
The cartridges contain different metals,
plastic and the toner itself, which can
spread through the air ten times
faster than ordinary dust and cause
allergies in people, contaminating
the soil and water.
The 'Murton' operation has resulted
in the investigation of three people
in Murcia, who have been instructed
to proceed as alleged perpetrators of
crimes against natural resources and the
environment, usurpation of property and
membership of a criminal organization.”
Producer Responsibility kicks in
The waste producer is always
responsible for their waste. Even if you
have paid someone to dispose of your
waste correctly, you are responsible for
its safe and correct disposal. If any of the
waste can be traced back to a company,
that company would be liable for costs
of the safe disposal on the waste. ■
14 Issue 333 August 2020