Waste management

The Caja Madrid waste management strategy pivots on two core principles: first, reducing the amount of waste generated and, second, improving our use and recovery of the resources such waste contains.

Prevention

Reuse avoids the generation of waste and reduces consumption of raw materials. Consequently, Caja Madrid:

• Has implemented a system for collecting used printer toner cartridges. After being used, the toner cartridges are delivered to a specialised company for reuse.
• Emphasis is placed on finding alternatives that place a priority on reuse and/or recycling of electrical and electronic equipments, over their replacement with new units.

One of the most noteworthy initiatives, spearheaded in 2008 by La Casa Encendida, was to take materials used in some of the advertising props (awnings and banners) for exhibitions at the building and transform them into more than 1,800 briefcases, banners, shopping bags and similar items.

Recycling

As in previous years, significant resources have been devoted to separating and recycling waste products:

• The main buildings have trash receptacles and/or bins with separate compartments for non-confidential paper, packaging and batteries.
• Caja Madrid sites have a system for collecting, destroying and recycling paper and computer storage media that contain confidential information.
• The treatment of hazardous waste produced by general building maintenance operations (contaminated containers, used oils, etc.) is entrusted to licensed waster managers, with a priority on reusing or recycling them over taking them to controlled dumps.

A new project was begun in 2008 to improve management of construction and demolition debris and waste. Construction project plans now include a study of the management of such materials and the contractors must present the resulting waste management plan.