The Santiago del Teide City Council guarantees waste collection at no additional cost to residents.
The local government will not require residents to pay the fee as long as the service is fully covered by the municipal budget.
Residents of Santiago del Teide will not pay the waste collection fee "as long as the service is fully covered by the municipal budget," assures Mayor Emilio Navarro, who emphasizes that this measure will not affect residents' finances and that the city council is complying with current regulations.
The Santiago del Teide City Council approved the new ordinance regulating the waste collection service, which is mandated by the transposition of a European directive and by Law 7/2022 on Waste and Contaminated Soils, which requires municipalities to have a fiscal instrument to finance the waste service.
Emilio Navarro explains that the Santiago del Teide City Council "has done its homework and approved a comprehensive, socially and legally sound ordinance, prepared for any future scenario." The mayor emphasizes that “our objective is clear: to comply with the law, guarantee the service, and protect our residents.”
To this end, the council agreed to implement a zero fee, meaning the municipal administration will not send any bills to the residents of Santiago del Teide as long as the cost of the service can be covered by the municipal budget.
In this case, the agreement adopted by the plenary session at the proposal of the local government includes measures to mitigate its effects, for which “a model based on social justice is established, guaranteeing that, if at any point it becomes necessary to activate the fee, its application will be phased in gradually, with full protection for the most vulnerable and with a greater contribution from those who generate the most waste.”
The mayor of Santiago del Teide, Emilio Navarro, stresses that “this essential service is guaranteed, the law is being followed, and residents will not pay until it is necessary.” The councilor emphasizes that “this decision reflects a style of governance based on foresight, responsibility, and sound management, avoiding improvisation and guaranteeing legal and social stability.”
Directive (EU) 2018/851 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 has the fundamental objective of ensuring the financial sustainability of waste collection, transport, and treatment services in municipalities. Its implementation, mandated by the central government since January 1, requires that the full cost of waste collection, management, transport, and treatment be passed on to citizens.
