Last year, the Community of Madrid processed a total of 115 complaints against companies and individuals for illegal dumping in natural environments. This figure represents 10.1% of the 1,137 environmental infraction files opened in the region, whose investigation falls under the responsibility of the Forest Agents Corps in their role as environmental police.
Half of the complaints were due to the abandonment of construction and demolition waste, primarily found on rural roads, cattle trails, and disused highways. Approximately 20% involved hazardous waste—such as fiber cement, solvents, paints, acids, detergents, or animal remains—another similar percentage was related to the burning of deposited materials, and the remaining 10% to other waste like wood or plastics.
These practices in unauthorized areas cause a severe impact on the environment, creating a pull factor that encourages progressive accumulation, even in specially protected areas. Furthermore, they can contaminate soil and water, become sources of infection for people and wildlife, degrade the landscape, obstruct rural roads, and increase the risk of forest fires during high-temperature periods.
Complaints processed by these agents are mostly forwarded to the Deputy Directorate General for Environmental Inspection and Discipline, under the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Interior, or to local councils when incidents occur in urban areas. These actions can lead to administrative sanctions ranging from 2,000 euros for minor cases to 100,001 euros for very serious ones, without prejudice to potentially escalating to an environmental crime if significant damage occurs.
As a recent example, last March, agents identified those responsible for dumping three cubic meters of rubble on a disused section of the old M-501, in a maximum environmental protection zone of the Alberche and Cofio river basin, within the municipality of Colmenar del Arroyo. After an investigation lasting almost a year, it was determined that the waste originated from the renovation of a rural house in the province of Ávila.
The responsible company lacked documentation proving proper waste management at an authorized landfill, resulting in a 20,000 euro fine, in addition to the obligation to remove the deposited waste. Alongside dumping, the main sanctioning actions are related to the improper use or irregular parking of motor vehicles in natural environments, as well as urban planning infractions, with a higher incidence in the eastern and southeastern areas of the Community of Madrid.
