Lorraine Williamson
While Europe enforces stricter environmental regulations, Spain is becoming a hub for illegal waste trafficking. Organised criminal networks smuggle tons of municipal and industrial waste into the country daily, mainly from France and Italy, but increasingly from Belgium and Germany.
As Spain takes over Italy’s former role as Southern Europe’s dumping ground, the environmental and public health consequences are severe.
Why criminal networks choose Spain
Spain’s appeal for illegal waste disposal is largely due to low costs and weak enforcement. In France, processing one ton of municipal waste costs around €250, whereas in Spain, the cost is just €50. With each truck carrying 20 tons of waste and 10 to 20 trucks entering Spain daily, the profits are substantial.
Additionally, penalties remain low. Fines are often a fraction of the earnings from illegal waste trafficking, and convictions are rare. This makes Spain an attractive target for the “waste mafia”, which transports waste using falsified documents.
The hidden route of European waste
According to SEPRONA, Spain’s environmental protection agency, waste is often mislabelled to evade customs controls. Municipal waste is falsely declared as recyclable materials, such as plastic or paper, but instead ends up in landfills or illegal dumps.
Industrial waste, including hazardous materials such as oils, solvents, and chemical construction waste, is also smuggled into Spain. These substances require specialised disposal, yet they often end up in landfills or are illegally buried, posing serious risks to soil and water quality.
Regions most affected
The regions most impacted by illegal waste imports include:
- Catalonia
- Aragón
- Valencia
- Basque Country (a transit hub for shipments further inland)
A recent operation by the Guardia Civil uncovered an international criminal network smuggling 40,000 tons of waste from Italy to Spain annually. Since 2021, this group has earned over €19 million by illegally dumping waste in Tarragona, Cuenca, and other locations.
How can Spain combat illegal waste trafficking?
Experts stress the need for:
- Stronger enforcement and international cooperation: A pan-European information system is needed to track waste shipments across borders.
- Harsher penalties: SEPRONA has classified illegal waste trafficking as organised crime since 2020, but prosecution remains difficult.
- Financial and criminal penalties: Only by freezing assets and imposing prison sentences can Spain deter criminal networks from exploiting its waste processing industry.
Urgent action needed
With increasing waste production and tougher environmental laws in Northern Europe, illegal waste flows into Spain will likely rise. Without stronger enforcement and stricter regulations, Spain risks becoming Europe’s permanent dumping ground, with catastrophic consequences for its environment and public health.
Also read: 40,000 tons of waste illegally smuggled from Italy to Spain each year