Tenerife Municipalities Launch Digital Waste Management Initiative to Boost Recycling
The Northeast Tenerife Association of Municipalities is modernizing waste management through a €600,000 EU-funded initiative that introduces solar-powered recycling units, mobile collection services, and digital upgrades to boost local circular economy efforts.
Waste management in the Canary Islands is undergoing a major change as the Northeast Tenerife Association of Municipalities shifts toward more local and digital solutions. Backed by over 600,000 euros in funding from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, the project aims to make recycling more accessible for residents in Tacoronte, El Sauzal, La Matanza de Acentejo, La Victoria de Acentejo, Santa Úrsula, and El Rosario.
Under the initiative "You are part of this Island, make it circular!", the project introduces two new ways to manage waste. First, eight small, solar-powered recycling units will be placed throughout urban areas, allowing residents to recycle without traveling to the outskirts. These units require a card for access to ensure proper use. Second, two mobile collection vehicles will follow scheduled routes to pick up specific items like used cooking oil, small electronics, batteries, aerosols, and printer cartridges.
This effort comes as the region sees a significant boost in recycling rates. Data from the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 shows a 24% increase in the recovery of lightweight packaging and a 27% rise in paper and cardboard recycling. Much of this success is due to a new door-to-door collection service for local businesses, which has grown from 6,700 kilos of cardboard in early 2025 to 48,000 kilos in early 2026.
The project, supported by Ecoembes, goes beyond just providing bins. It includes an educational campaign featuring artist Paula Mateos to encourage better recycling habits, the expansion of the "Eco-Hospitality" program, and upgrades to digital management systems.
Sandra Izquierdo, president of the Association and mayor of Tacoronte, believes this plan is vital for the 85,000 people living in the area. The goal is to improve efficiency and build a culture where recycling is second nature. By working together, these municipalities are modernizing their waste management to meet today’s environmental standards.