Los Realejos Launches Organic Waste Program With Tax Incentives for Residents and Businesses
Los Realejos is incentivizing participation in its new organic waste collection program by offering significant tax reductions to residents and businesses that utilize the town's new brown bin system or home composting units.
Los Realejos is changing how it manages waste by introducing a new "fifth container" system for organic matter. To encourage residents and businesses to participate in this circular economy initiative, the local council is offering direct tax breaks.
Led by Mayor Adolfo González, the local government is offering a 25% reduction on waste taxes for households and a 30% reduction for restaurants and businesses. To qualify for these savings, participants must actively use the new brown bins—which require a special key provided by the council—or manage their own waste using home composting units.
This project is funded by European Next Generation grants, along with support from the Canary Islands’ Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Ecological Transition. This funding has provided over 200 public bins and 2,000 home composting kits, helping the town meet European standards for bio-waste and reduce the amount of trash sent to landfills.
To help residents adjust, the council is launching an information campaign that will visit neighborhoods throughout the next month. Staff will be available at various locations to explain what can go in the brown bins and to hand out keys and compostable bags.
The campaign schedule, which will pause for Easter, includes stops at the Viera y Clavijo Library, the Base Health Center, the Basilio Labrador pavilion, and San Vicente square. After the holiday break, the team will resume on April 6 in El Puente, before visiting San Agustín, Toscal Longuera, Realejo Bajo, Tigaiga, and La Zamora, with the outreach program concluding at the end of April.