The Public Services Division of the City of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, along with the Concessionaire Company for Cleaning and Waste Collection, Environmental Services SA, successfully collected a total of 1,650,390 kilos of organic waste in the year 2024. This figure represents a remarkable 32.04% increase in the separation of this kind of waste compared to the previous year.
The Mayor of the capital, José Manuel Bermúdez (CC), states that since 2021, the local council has encouraged the use of a fifth bin specifically designated for organic waste collection. “This initiative is part of a wider strategy aimed at promoting more sustainable waste management, which entails minimising the volume of waste that ends up in landfills and improving the processes of separation, reuse, and recycling,” added the mayor.
In this context, he mentioned that the municipality currently has approximately 400 brown bins distributed across the districts of Health-La Salle and Centro-Iphara, intending to gradually extend their availability throughout the city.
The Public Services Councillor, Carlos Tarife (PP), highlights that this initiative also demonstrates the commitment of the residents of Chicharreras to the conservation of Santa Cruz and its environment. “Over 5,000 homes and 169 establishments are actively participating in this system, which is dedicated to sustainability and proper waste management,” he noted.
Proper separation of organic matter is crucial for the production of high-quality compost, a natural fertiliser that enhances agricultural land and gardens. The organic waste collected by the service is transported to recycling facilities, where it is converted into this natural resource, improving soil fertility, reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers and promoting sustainable agriculture, as stated by the local government. This process creates a positive environmental impact by diminishing the volume of waste sent to landfills and the emissions of greenhouse gases, such as methane.
To assist residents in collaborating with the selective collection system, the City Council offers an organic kit, which includes a key granting access to brown bins. This kit can be obtained free of charge at the Citizen Attention Office (located in the Curved Brothers Dorta Square), from Monday to Friday, between 08:00 and 15:00.