Tenerife Launches €75 Million Overhaul of Waste Management System
Tenerife has launched a 75-million-euro waste management overhaul to modernize organic waste processing and reduce landfill reliance in line with European circular economy standards.
Tenerife is set to overhaul its waste management system following the Island Council’s approval of a new roadmap. Backed by nearly 75 million euros, the initiative aims to modernize how the island handles organic waste, bringing local policies in line with European and national standards that prioritize a circular economy and a significant reduction in landfill use.
The primary goal is to cut methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas—produced by organic waste decomposing at the Arico Environmental Complex. Currently, too much organic material ends up in landfills mixed with other trash, making it impossible to recycle. To fix this, the plan earmarks 13 million euros specifically for improving the treatment of the more than 200,000 tons of organic waste generated on the island each year.
The strategy focuses on two main areas: upgrading infrastructure and supporting local municipalities. The Council has already invested 222,000 euros in over 690 new bins to make it easier for households and businesses to separate their waste. Meanwhile, the Arico facility is expanding its technical capacity to process all of the island’s organic matter, building on recent upgrades to its biogas recovery and leachate treatment systems.
This investment is more than just a move to meet environmental regulations; it marks a major shift in how the Canary Islands manage waste. By focusing on better collection and recycling, the administration hopes to shrink the island’s carbon footprint and turn waste from a source of pollution into a valuable resource.