Las Palmas City Council Approves Significant Waste Management Modernisation
Expansion of Waste Collection Contract
The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council has approved an extension of the waste collection contract from 5 to 8 years, covering the period from 2026 to 2034. This contract will involve a budget of €156.9 million to modernise the fleet with 105 new vehicles and the installation of nearly 18,000 new waste containers throughout the city.
This initiative aims to enhance the frequency, intensity, and precision of waste collection services, as well as allow for weekend collections in all neighbourhoods. The approved modification will expedite the bidding process for the cleaning service, representing the largest investment in urban cleanliness in the city’s history.
Improving Urban Hygiene
Councillor for Cleanliness, Héctor Alemán, stated, “This contract will improve waste collection frequency across all neighbourhoods, replace and expand all containers in the city, embrace technological innovations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, increase recycling rates, improve urban hygiene, promote environmental care, support sustainable development, and ensure compliance with waste regulations.”
Alemán added, “This government will continue to advance with this contract, which will significantly enhance waste collection, complementing various initiatives being undertaken by the Municipal Cleaning Service, such as the Urban Hygiene Plan, collaborative actions with Parks and Gardens, temporary collection points, and the introduction of a fifth container to further improve urban hygiene in the city.”
Fleet and Container Upgrades
The contract outlines an expansion of the vehicle fleet with the addition of 24 rear-loading collection trucks, 16 vertical-loading trucks, and 13 side-loading vehicles. Moreover, the acquisition of 8 pressure washers and 4 hydro-cleaning vans will facilitate deep cleaning of pavement surfaces. A total of €18.4 million is allocated for this increase in machinery.
In terms of waste containers, the city will receive 10,106 new units, equally divided into 1,436 for paper and cardboard, the same for light packaging, glass, and organic waste. The latter will feature electronic locking systems. Additionally, 4,362 new residual waste containers will be installed, alongside the replacement of 7,580 existing containers. A budget of €15.1 million will be dedicated to this renewal.
Maintenance and Operational Funding
The contract also includes provisions for the operation and maintenance of the machinery and equipment, covering estimated annual repairs, insurance, inspections, and fuel costs for each vehicle type.
The drive for comprehensive cleaning and waste collection contracts reflects a significant economic commitment from the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council to enhance urban hygiene across all neighbourhoods in the city’s five districts. This will be achieved through a mixed management model stemming from public-private collaboration.
