New Recycling Centre to Replace Facility Destroyed by Volcano
The Government of the Canary Islands, through its Department for Ecological Transition and Energy led by Mariano H. Zapata, is pushing forward with the construction of a new permanent recycling centre in the municipality of Los Llanos de Aridane on La Palma. This key infrastructure will re-establish a stable, essential public service that was destroyed during the eruption of the Tajogaite volcano in 2021. The department states it will guarantee sustainable waste management for the municipality, promote public awareness, and improve the area’s urban and tourist appeal.
Replacing a Temporary Solution
The original recycling centre, designed for a population of 30,000 to 50,000 residents, was completely swept away by lava flows during the volcanic emergency. To avoid an interruption in service, a temporary emergency facility was set up. This provisional installation must now be dismantled as the land is needed for the construction of a new health and social care centre. In this context, building a new, definitive recycling centre has become an environmental and social priority for the town.
Funding and Future Vision
The eligible cost for the project amounts to €350,467.29, financed by European Next Generation funds. The Canary Islands General Indirect Tax (IGIC), totalling €24,532.71, will be covered by the Island Council of La Palma. Councillor Mariano H. Zapata emphasised that this action addresses an urgent need stemming from a natural disaster but does so with a future-oriented vision. “It is aligned with the principles of sustainability, circular economy, and territorial resilience that we champion for La Palma and for the entire Archipelago,” he said.
Zapata further stressed that “Los Llanos de Aridane cannot continue without adequate infrastructure for the selective collection of special waste.” He added that this new centre will improve environmental quality, reduce unnecessary waste transportation to other municipalities, and ensure compliance with national and European regulations.
Services and Environmental Benefits
The new facility will allow for the selective collection and temporary storage of a wide variety of non-hazardous urban waste. This includes electrical and electronic equipment, bulky items, garden waste, small construction rubble, used oils, batteries, paints, textiles, containers, and glass. The waste will be periodically transferred to authorised managers for proper recovery or disposal, following the hierarchy established by Spain’s Circular Economy Law (7/2022).
The project will directly contribute to improving the municipality’s environmental quality, fostering public awareness, and enhancing the urban and tourist image of Los Llanos de Aridane. It also reinforces public access to an essential service after the profound social and territorial transformation caused by the volcanic eruption. The initiative aligns with key European Union strategic axes, promoting ecological transition, social and territorial cohesion, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
“With this project, we are not just recovering a service lost to the eruption, but taking a firm step towards a more modern, efficient, and sustainable waste management model, adapted to the real needs of the island,” Zapata concluded.
Waste Management a Priority for La Palma
The construction of the new Los Llanos de Aridane recycling centre is part of a broader strategy by the Canary Islands Government to strengthen waste management across La Palma. This project is joined by complementary investments also using European funds, significantly increasing the total resources dedicated to this area on the island.
These include an additional investment of nearly €700,000 to improve infrastructure and equipment linked to selective waste collection. A third, larger-scale project valued at almost €4 million, also financed with European funds, is aimed at modernising the island’s entire waste management system and advancing towards circular economy objectives and landfill reduction. Collectively, these investments solidify the regional government’s commitment to a more efficient, sustainable, and needs-adapted waste management system for La Palma.
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