Spain’s railway operator Renfe has undertaken extensive graffiti removal efforts across its train network, cleaning 90,000 square metres of vandalised surfaces in Spain between 2023 and 2024. This effort comes at an annual cost of approximately EUR 25 million, covering cleaning materials, labour, protective equipment, energy, waste management, and security measures to deter further vandalism.
The incidence of graffiti has risen in recent years, particularly in Madrid, one of the most affected regions. In 2023, Renfe removed 19,373 square metres of graffiti in the Spanish capital, increasing to 22,926 square metres in 2024. Within the Madrid commuter rail system (Cercanías), over 1,000 instances of graffiti were erased, totalling 19,323 square metres.
Renfe graffiti removal: Significant resources and operational disruptions
Graffiti removal requires more than 10,000 work hours per month, significantly impacting operations. Train services are often disrupted as units are taken out of service for cleaning, causing delays and temporary reductions in fleet availability.
Environmental and energy impact
Renfe estimates that graffiti artists use around 16,000 litres of paint annually, generating 40,000 cans of hazardous waste containing toxic substances such as benzene and 1,3-butadiene. To mitigate environmental damage, Renfe has implemented specialised cleaning protocols, including absorbent mats and an environmental management system to prevent contaminants from reaching the ground.
Additionally, transporting trains to cleaning facilities consumes significant amounts of energy. The electricity required for these trips is estimated at 400,000 kWh—enough to power more than 44,000 homes for a day or illuminate 36 million light bulbs for an hour.
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