Demand for Resignation of Councillor Following Waste Management Crisis in Tenerife

Serious Concerns over Waste Accumulation

The Socialist Group at the Cabildo of Tenerife has called for the resignation of the island’s Natural Resources Councillor, Blanca Pérez, following the confirmed shutdown of the Arico packaging plant since Sunday, 21 September. The facility is not expected to resume operations until at least Thursday, 25 September.

In a statement, the PSOE warned that this closure poses serious issues for three main reasons: the waste from the yellow containers is not being processed, the La Piconera area is not equipped for the storage of these materials, and the accumulation of rubbish is causing unpleasant odours and attracting rodents, some of which have even reached the nearby motorway.

“The closure of the plant responsible for receiving and managing all the packaging from Tenerife is a critical situation that highlights the current government’s incompetence,” stated the Socialist Councillor Javier Rodríguez Medina.

Plant Maintenance Failures Highlighted

According to the PSOE, waste has been piling up in La Piconera since Sunday, raising environmental and health risks. The collapse of the plant is attributed to a lack of maintenance: the breakdown of several conveyor belts, damage to the drive drum axle, and a lack of spare parts to replace faulty equipment promptly.

“We are not discussing an isolated incident; this is negligence that has resulted in the shutdown of the facility that manages all the island’s yellow containers,” asserted Rodríguez Medina.

A Pattern of Failures

The Socialist Group claims this incident adds to a “long list of failures” attributed to Blanca Pérez’s management, including two fires at the Environmental Complex in Arico, a fatal work accident, the lowest material recovery rates in forty years, stalled projects, and unfulfilled promises.

“Coalition Canaria and the Popular Party have led waste management into the greatest decline in the island’s history. Blanca Pérez cannot remain in this sensitive position for a moment longer. Her continued tenure only exacerbates the crisis and demonstrates this government’s lack of respect for its citizens,” concluded the PSOE.