Tenerife + sustainable. waste management model for island territories

Abstract

Tenerife is a first-class mass tourism destination. The island receive 5 million tourists every year, and have a resident population of 800,000 inhabitants. Waste management is a key factor in sustainability and quality tourism. The island generates close to 500,000 tonnes of waste per year. The Island Council is responsible for waste planning, management and treatment for the entire island. Collection of Municipal Solid Waste is municipal competence. The Island Council, Cabildo de Tenerife, has developed the project Tenerife + Sustainable to implement a new waste management model, based on minimization and circular economy. Tenerife + Sustainable is a holistic project for waste management and social awareness. Our aim is a new culture of waste, focused to reduce the consumption of raw material and combat climate change. The project involves different stakeholders like people, schools and enterprises, among others. The basis of the project are Sustainable Development Goals, focused to responsible consumption and production, sustainable cities and communities, innovation and climate action, so like well-being and reduced inequalities . Tenerife + Sostenible aims at “doing more and better with less”, increasing economic growth by reducing resource use, degradation and pollution, avoiding more landfills. We adapt this aims to the insular approach. Tenerife is a medium scale island, focused on mass tourism and with a high density of population. Landfills aren´t an alternative; we haven´t enough territory, a high biodiversity and scarce water resources complicates the situation. Tenerife + Sostenible is a holistic strategy to promote Sustainable Development from waste management. So, European regulations on waste becomes an opportunity for a new culture of sustainability, introducing concepts like circular economy, economy for the common good, waste minimization, reusing and recycling, and innovation to promote green economy and jobs.