Waste Management Firms in Tenerife Seek Compensation Over Free Wood Chip Distribution

Five waste management companies in Tenerife are urging the Cabildo to provide monthly compensation of €20,000 collectively to support their continued operations amid economic challenges posed by the free distribution of wood chips to farmers. These companies, linked to the waste management association Acanec, say the practice, stemming from forest fire debris cleanup, threatens their viability by eliminating revenues from wood chip sales which are essential for covering their structural costs. Acanec president David González Montañez underscored the critical role these firms play in reusing natural forest waste and promoting sustainability, warning that without financial support, layoffs and closures loom. The companies' call for compensation breaks down to about €4,000 per firm monthly to sustain business operations rather than sales profits. Attempts by the Cabildo to auction wood waste failed due to potential buyers' unwillingness to manage the volume and quality of the material. González emphasized that while they support the free wood chip distribution, compensatory measures are needed urgently since the sector has waited over a year for a resolution. He highlighted the strategic importance of these businesses in forest fire prevention, ecosystem maintenance, and generating green jobs. Acanec's vice president, Jacobo Rodríguez Sicilia, echoed the call for measures addressing the economic imbalance created by giving away wood chips for free without offsetting financial support. The firms stress that such incentives are vital to uphold their environmental and safety contributions in Tenerife. This situation points to an emerging economic challenge within the Canary Islands' waste management sector as it balances sustainability goals with operational sustainability.