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Recycling in Madrid, an important topic for all those people who live in the Spanish capital or will move here soon. We are back with our “Useful Tips” column and this time we will talk about a topic of paramount importance. As we have mentioned at the beginning of this 2019, sustainability and society will be some of our topics of the year. We strongly believe that by providing our tenants and our readers with few basic tips and some information, we can actually do something for them and they can do something for the society they live in. Education and information are the very first steps to improve our lives!
- Chewing gum 3 years
- Plastic between 100 and 1000 years
- Aluminium cans 4000 years
- Cigarette butts 2 years
- Glass bottle 4000 years
- Milk cartons 5 years
- Batteries 100 years
- Nylon Fabric 30-40 years
These are the years that your wastes need to decompose in nature. Have you ever thought about it while throwing away a plastic bag, a can or a plastic bottle? Reducing the usage of these materials is a great starting point: it is not easy, we are perfectly aware, but it is not impossible. Furthermore, a correct recycling is the basis to help our planet.
Recycling is today’s topic, so take a load off and read carefully how recycling works in Madrid. Being this topic so vital, invite your flat mates to read the article with you or teach them, if they are not doing it yet, how to recycle. You will live in one of the most sustainable and environmental friendly shared flats in Madrid!
Talking about shared flats, have you already found your new home away from home? Among all the housing solutions you have at your disposal, shared flats are the best. Not just because helpMadrid may offer you pretty and renovated shared flats. The main reason why they are the most common solution among students and young workers is that they will make you save money and meet new people. And with all the money you save by sharing rent and expenses, you can buy sustainable products… isn’t that great?
On this basis, we are ready to talk about recycling in Madrid…
PAPER AND CARDBOARD
The paper and cardboard recycling bins are the blue ones.
What can you throw in these bins? Sheets, notebooks, newspapers, magazines, egg cartons, flyers, cardboard packaging and tubes (like the one of the toilet paper).
GLASS
The glass recycling bins are the green ones.
What can you throw in these bins? Glass bottles, jars and other packaging made of glass, such as the Roll-on deodorants.
Please, keep in mind that mirrors and window glass are not recyclable.
Remember to remove stoppers and corks.
PLASTIC AND CANS
The paper and cardboard recycling bins are the yellow ones.
What can you throw in these bins? Plastic pots, tubs and trays, plastic bottle lids, metal lids from jars and bottles, food tins and drinks cans (rinsed), plastic bottles (for example, fizzy drink bottles, milk bottles, water bottles, detergent bottles - please remove lids and put them in the bin separately), TetraPaks (please put the lids in separately), net bags and foil.
NON-RECYCLABLE WASTE
The paper and cardboard recycling bins are the grey ones with an orange cover.
What can you throw in these bins? Food, corks, litter, normal light bulbs, dirty paper (such as the one with oil), ceramic and china, rubber, certain plastic items that are not packaging or wrappers.
OTHER
All the other waste, such as batteries or oil, has to be thrown in dedicated areas called “Punto Limpio”.
What can you throw in these bins? Batteries, thermometer, Cds and DVDs, X-ray analysis, waste oil, aerosol cans (empty), paint, cartridges and toner containers, electric devices and household appliances, medicines, energy-saving light bulbs, fluorescent lamps, small objects and clothes.
What about furniture or bigger devices such as fridges and washing machines? You can call the number 010 or you can have a look for the “Recogita de muebles y ensures” at www.madrid.es.
Let’s get sustainable together! Actually, recycling is the easiest way we have to take care of our planet: it is free and it is simple. It does not take a lot of time, nor a lot of commitment. The only think you have to care about is doing it in the correct way and doing it every single day, even when you eat something quickly while going to work.
You can easily do other two things by yourself:
- Recycle some packaging such as jars; they can be used again to store leftovers and other little objects.
- Try to avoid plastic every time you can. First, when you buy food at the market (for example, when you buy fruits and vegetables). Avoid plastic bottles or plastic food boxes: there are many valuable solutions good for your health and good for the environment.
Follow this guideline offered by helpMadrid and remember…
Plastic 1000 years, aluminium cans 4000 years, cigarette butts 2 years, glass bottle 4000 years, milk cartons 5 years, batteries 100 years, nylon Fabric 30-40 years.