Investigations have uncovered a significant illegal waste trafficking operation originating from the Bordeaux region of France, with waste being buried near Zaragoza, Spain.

The Oclaesp, the Office for the Fight Against Environmental and Public Health Violations, led the investigation, revealing that nearly 10,000 tons of waste were improperly transported across the border.

The Spanish company Iruservi played a key role by loading waste from Greenrecup and falsely labeling it as 'recoverable' to evade restrictions and taxes.

Investigators suspect that 268 transports from Greenrecup resulted in illegal dumping in Zaragoza, allowing the operation to avoid approximately €291,000 in taxes.

A recent operation, dubbed 'operacion poubelle', led to the arrest of 19 individuals linked to these illegal waste transport activities, which have reportedly generated €16 million since 2020.

The alarming levels of illegal waste dumping in Zaragoza have raised concerns among environmental groups, highlighting the need for stricter regulations.

As a result of the investigation, six individuals and three waste management companies have been charged in Bordeaux, signaling a crackdown on these illegal practices.

The defendants involved in this case are expected to appear before the Bordeaux correctional tribunal in June 2025, while Iruservi faces legal proceedings in Spain.

Additionally, a third company, 3VR, facilitated connections between the involved parties, although they claim ignorance of the illegal activities.

For years, discrepancies have been noted in the volume of cardboard waste reported moving from France to Spain for recycling, raising suspicions about the legitimacy of these operations.

The illegal waste trading market in Europe is highly lucrative, with estimates suggesting it generates between €4 billion and €15 billion annually.

The operation, named 'Blanzar' (Blanquefort-Zaragoza), involved a complex scheme where waste was misclassified as 'recoverable' to evade environmental taxes.