Alejandro Marichal: “Although there is still work to be done, we are taking firm steps to implement a more effective model, capable of definitively correcting the deficiencies that the service has suffered from.”
Ruyman Cardoso: “The new depots incorporate fill sensors to optimize routes, adjust the frequency of collection and thus improve operational efficiency”
The Department of Sanitation has begun installing 82 new containers to enhance the separate collection of textile waste and used cooking oil at various locations throughout the municipality. Specifically, 50 textile containers and 32 used cooking oil containers will be installed following their arrival this February. The rollout will be phased in to improve service coverage and provide residents with a more convenient and accessible system.
In the case of textile waste, 50 containers with a capacity of 3.000 liters each (3 m³) are installed, allowing for an approximate annual collection of 112 tons. For used cooking oil (UCO), 32 containers with a capacity of 900 liters each (0,9 m³) are added, with an estimated annual collection volume of 1,7 tons. These figures illustrate the true scope of the service and its direct impact on the sustainable management of specific waste products.
As detailed by the Councillor for Cleaning, Ruyman Cardoso, this action is part of the specific municipal contract for the collection of textile waste and used vegetable oil, awarded in September 2025 to the company Ecatar Canarias SLU for an amount of 398.369,36 euros and valid until 2028. It is, he continues, a service “designed to guarantee proper management of two wastes that require differentiated treatment, avoiding environmental impacts and improving the organization of collection in the municipality.”
The installation of the new containers, Cardoso explains, allows for a more organized and efficient waste collection system in all neighborhoods of the municipality. “This step was necessary to modernize the service and improve its planning.” For this reason, he added, “the containers incorporate fill sensors, a tool that will allow us to optimize routes, adjust collection frequency, and reduce unnecessary trips, thus improving operational efficiency.” He also noted that this is a pioneering contract in the Canary Islands due to its social impact, combining service improvement with job creation.
The awarding of this contract also incorporates a significant social component, as it was processed as a reserved contract, a mechanism provided for in public procurement regulations that allows certain services to be allocated exclusively to Special Employment Centers of Social Initiative and Social Integration Enterprises. In practice, this means that the service not only improves waste management but also promotes employment opportunities for people with disabilities or in vulnerable situations. According to the information in the file, this is a pioneering contract award in the Canary Islands in this format, which is uncommon compared to other more frequent methods such as agreements or training programs.
The First Deputy Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Alejandro Marichal, stated that with the implementation of this service, “we continue to take firm steps in improving the cleaning and waste collection service.” He added that “although there is still work to be done, the work being carried out by the Department will allow for the implementation of a more efficient and organized model, capable of definitively correcting the deficiencies that the service has suffered from.”
In parallel, the council continues to develop a comprehensive modernization process for selective waste collection. Among the measures already implemented is the contract for the selective collection of light packaging and paper/cardboard, awarded for €4,87 million until 2028. This includes the installation of 560 new containers, fleet renewal, and a capacity improvement of nearly 50%. In addition, over €300.000 has been invested in the construction and modernization of collection points and facilities, along with the progressive installation of 41 solar-powered self-compacting litter bins in high-traffic coastal areas.
The council has also launched an agreement with the Foresta Foundation to create a special cleaning unit with 20 new hires, reinforcing service planning with measures that combine operational improvements and job creation. With all this, the council maintains a continuous work plan until 2028 focused on improving the efficiency, organization, and quality of the service, incorporating technology and socially impactful contracting models.
