Most household electrical items are made using metals with cadmium, lead, bromide, mercury or chrome components. Many of these elements are toxic in certain levels of concentration and adversely affect the atmosphere. For this reason, when they are no longer used, these items should be taken to recycling plants.

 

These recycling plants are run by the local council. Hence, the best thing to do when discarding a household electrical item is to ask the local council how to proceed, because many have their own collection service. Up to 80% of the components can be recycled.

 

When purchasing a new household electrical item, it is advisable to choose so-called Class A items, which are highly efficient in terms of electricity consumption and environmentally friendly manufacture.

 

European ruling
Starting from next summer, Spanish legislation must incorporate the new European ruling which obliges manufacturers of electric and electrical equipment to collect and recycle their own brand items. The annual minimum has been set at 6,000 kilograms per household from 2006. In addition, from 2006 onwards, the manufacture of computers and household electrical items containing lead, mercury, cadmium, chrome and polybromide biphenyls or diphenyl ether is banned.

 

European industry experts estimate that this measure will mean extra costs of 7,500 million euros a year to manufacturers. According to the EU, the costs amount to 1,000 million euros.

 

The aims of this new ruling are as follows:

1. Prevent the entry of toxic substances into the atmosphere
2. Reusing recyclable items.

The best way to contribute is to prolong the life of these items to produce less residue.

 

Did you know...?
- In 2001, the Madrid recycling centre collected 684 tons of fridges.
- Some 90% of the electricity consumed by a washing machine is to heat up the water and only 10% to power the motor.
- A fridge consumes 20% of the electricity of a household.
- Hand washing plates with hot water is up to 60% more expensive than doing it with a full modern dishwasher.
- EU countries currently generate six million tons of electric and electronic waste, and this amount is expected to rise some 30% over the next two years.
- According to a study by the Organizaci�n de Consumidores y Usuarios (OCU), Miele is considered the most reliable manufacturer of household electrical items by consumers. Other highly appreciated brands are AEG, Siemens, Bosch, Electrolux and Whirlpool.