Since June 30, 2024, the Madrid council has operated a dynamic system for online auctions, covering two main categories: firstly, jewelry, electronic devices, and other objects; and secondly, vehicles and disused items retired from public service. To date, five auctions have been organized, with plans to hold two more before the year concludes.
The delegate for Economy, Innovation, and Treasury, Engracia Hidalgo, has highlighted the initiative, stating that it promotes the circular economy by giving a second life to municipal items and unclaimed objects, in addition to generating extraordinary revenue for public services.
In the first category, auctioned items come from the Lost Property Office. After two years unclaimed, the City Council acquires ownership and, after attempting their use by other municipal services, those that do not find a new purpose are put up for auction. Last year, over 78,000 items were deposited, mainly from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, generating €84,365 in two auctions.
The second category includes vehicles retired from municipal fleets (security, environment, general services) and industrial machinery that has been renewed or is no longer in use. Three auctions of these assets have generated €1,385,000 for the municipal coffers to date.
The transparency and value of the lots have attracted over 4,700 individuals and companies registered on the online auction platforms, who have placed more than 28,000 bids.
Two additional auctions are planned for the last quarter of the year: one featuring 5,103 lost items and electronic devices, and another with 35 disused municipal items, including agricultural machinery, industrial printers, and electric vehicle chargers.
These figures support the City Council's commitment to an auction system that recovers investment, reduces storage and custody costs, and contributes to Law 1/2024, of April 17, on the Circular Economy of the Community of Madrid, promoting reuse and second-hand sales.
