Government Ends Decade-Long Delays, Awards $17 Million Contract for Zurita Environmental Complex

The Government of the Canary Islands, through the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy, has completed the procurement process for the construction of the composting plant and the sorting plant at the Zurita Environmental Complex in the municipality of Puerto del Rosario.

This long‑awaited project for Fuerteventura, stalled for more than ten years by administrative blocks, now has guaranteed financing and updated designs for full implementation.

The regional minister, Mariano H. Zapata, confirmed that the Canary executive has earmarked €17 million for these facilities, which will “mark a before and after in waste management on Fuerteventura.”

“The Government has worked intensively to secure this investment and finally resolve an issue that had been pending for far too long. The works now start with full financing and execution guarantees,” Zapata said.

The minister also highlighted that, for the first time, the island will have an integrated and efficient waste management system, reducing landfill waste and better exploiting resources.

“The goal is not only to meet European recycling requirements but to build a more sustainable island that manages its waste responsibly and creates green‑job opportunities,” he added.

Commitment to Island Sustainability

Since the beginning of its mandate, the Ministry has updated the technical and economic aspects of the project to ensure viability. Two specific plans were drafted, detailing the actions required for the composting plant and the sorting plant.

With this contract, the Government fulfills its promise to provide Fuerteventura with a modern, sustainable infrastructure aligned with the Canary Islands’ Circular Economy Action Plan, which aims for at least 55 % of municipal waste to be recycled or reused by 2030.

“The launch of the Zurita Environmental Complex symbolizes the Canary Government’s commitment to an orderly, fair, and effective ecological transition. Fuerteventura finally gets the tool it deserves to manage waste sustainably and move toward a cleaner, circular future,” Zapata concluded.

Two Key Plants for Fuerteventura’s Circular Economy

Located in Puerto del Rosario, the Zurita Environmental Complex is the island’s primary waste‑management facility. Its modernization will improve system efficiency, lower the environmental footprint, and strengthen the circular economy on the island.

• Total budget: €17 million
• Construction period: three years, with completion expected in 2027

The Project Includes the Installation of:

• A sorting plant that separates and valorises recyclable waste not sorted at source.
• A composting plant that converts organic fractions into compost usable for agricultural, forestry, and landscaping purposes.

These facilities are expected to reduce landfill disposal by up to 10 % and increase the recovery rate of recyclable materials.

The Ministry also stresses the need for the Cabildo of Fuerteventura to strengthen source‑separation initiatives; the regional government will provide technical support to both the Cabildo and the island’s municipalities.

With this initiative, Fuerteventura moves toward a more efficient, modern, and sustainable waste‑management system, meeting a historic demand and taking a decisive step toward the Canary Islands’ ecological transition goals.

Political Reactions

The People’s Party (PP) of Fuerteventura welcomed today’s announcement from the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy, which green‑lights the completion of the composting and sorting plants at the Zurita Environmental Complex.

Supporters celebrated not only the resolution of a decade‑long administrative deadlock but also the €17 million investment that will fund both projects.

“The PP’s commitment in the Canary Government to the island and to Puerto del Rosario is demonstrated with concrete actions every week,” said Ana Padilla, PP spokesperson in the Puerto del Rosario City Council. “Following advances in education, we now add this new milestone announced by Ecological Transition.”

The PP emphasized that the Zurita Complex is the only facility of its kind on the island, serving both residents and tourists. Consequently, the operation of both plants will increase waste recovery while reducing landfill input to the existing cell.