Changes to waste management fees are on the horizon in the Canary Islands, as a new law aims to shift the financial burden of waste disposal to those who generate the most rubbish. This legislation, known as Law 7/2022, requires local councils to accurately reflect the costs of waste collection and treatment in fees charged to residents. However, two municipalities, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santiago del Teide, have found ways to sidestep the full implementation of these rules.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has historically avoided charging its residents for waste management, funding the service through its general budget. Under the new law, which comes into effect in April 2025, the council was set to impose an annual fee of around £149 per household starting in 2026. Yet, the Tenerife-based Superior Court of Justice annulled the ordinance in July, criticising the justification for the fee calculations. Following this ruling, the council chose not to appeal, pausing any new charges and agreeing to refund amounts already paid by residents.
Meanwhile, Santiago del Teide has not faced a court challenge. Instead, while the waste fee remains technically in place, the council has opted to subsidise it entirely, effectively bringing the charge to zero for residents. This strategy allows the local authority to maintain the fee structure while covering costs through its own budget.
In contrast, the other 86 councils in the Canary Islands continue to collect waste fees, with many having raised charges or altered their calculation methods to avoid deficits. For instance, Santa Cruz de Tenerife increased its charges following a reassessment of its waste management costs, resulting in higher bills for residents. To mitigate the impact, the council has postponed the billing period to September through November.
The overarching aim of Law 7/2022 is to enhance recycling rates and reduce dependence on landfill. It establishes a “polluter pays” principle, meaning those who produce less waste should not pay the same as those who generate large amounts of rubbish without separation. This law also demands that charges reflect only the actual costs of waste management, ensuring transparency for residents.
In the face of persistent waste issues, the regional government acknowledges that improving waste management and boosting recycling rates are critical challenges for the Canary Islands, where 83% of waste was mixed in 2025.
