Zurita's All-in-One Plant Finally Unlocked, to be Built by Tragsa for €17 million

The Government of the Canary Islands and the Fuerteventura Island Council announced on Thursday, 23 October, the unlocking of the composting and sorting plants at the Zurita Environmental Complex – two projects that have been stalled for at least a decade due to financing gaps and inter‑administrative disagreements.

The works will now proceed with a budget of €17 million, following the formal award of the contract to Tragsa by the autonomous community. The composting plant will recycle the vegetative waste received by the island’s environmental complex, while the sorting plant – dubbed “All‑in‑One” – will separate and recycle the household‑collection waste (green container).

The new facilities will:

• Operate a sorting line to separate and valorise recyclable materials.
• Run a composting line to turn the organic fraction into usable fertilizer for agricultural and landscaping purposes.

Both infrastructures are expected to cut landfill disposal by up to 50 % and improve the recovery of recyclable materials, aligning with European circular‑economy directives, the regional ministry said.

Cabildo and Government Issue Separate Statements on Zurita

After years of criticism between parties and officials in both the Canary Islands government and the Island Council, the two administrations finally released separate communications confirming the approval of the projects.

“This contract marks a before‑and‑after in waste management for Fuerteventura,” said Mariano H. Zapata, Minister of Ecological Transition and Energy (People’s Party).

Minister Zapata added:

“From the Government we have worked intensively to guarantee this investment and finally resolve a matter that has been pending for far too long. With this important step, the works start with full financing and execution guarantees. The goal is not only to meet European recycling requirements but also to build a more sustainable island that manages its waste responsibly and creates green‑job opportunities.”

Reducing Landfill Waste by 50 %

Lola García, President of the Fuerteventura Island Council (Canarian Coalition), welcomed the autonomous government’s announcement, noting that the start of the works “fulfills a commitment made by the President of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo (CC), during a recent meeting on the island.”

She explained that the projects, which had been stalled under the Ministry of Ecological Transition, are now being resumed:

“These facilities are essential for modernising Zurita and improving waste treatment on Fuerteventura.”

Enrique Pérez, the island’s Waste Minister, said the new plant will allow the separation of waste that currently ends up in the landfill by 20‑30 %, and, together with growing public awareness, will prevent 50 % of waste from being landfilled.

Regional, Island and Municipal Coordination on Waste Management

The island’s Waste Minister reiterated that the Island Council has repeatedly urged the Ministry of Ecological Transition to continue the works that will increase the recycling rate on Fuerteventura.

Minister Zapata emphasized that the Zurita project “forms part of the Government’s commitment to an orderly, fair and effective ecological transition.” He concluded:

“The launch of the Zurita Environmental Complex symbolizes the Canary Islands Government’s dedication to a structured, just and effective ecological transition. Fuerteventura will finally have the tool it deserves to manage its waste sustainably and move toward a cleaner, circular future.”

The regional department explained that the contract became possible after updating the technical projects, reviewing economic viability, and coordinating with the Island Council and municipal authorities to improve source‑separation rates. The works align with the Canary Islands Circular‑Economy Action Plan, which aims for at least 55 % of municipal waste to be recycled or reused by 2030.

People’s Party Supports Minister Zapata

While the Island Council’s president thanked the party leader Fernando Clavijo for his efforts, the People’s Party of Fuerteventura praised the minister’s work. In a separate statement, the party celebrated “the resolution of a procedure that had been dead‑locked for more than ten years.”

Ana Padilla, PP spokesperson in the Puerto del Rosario City Council, said:

“The commitment of the People’s Party ministries in the Canary Islands Government to the island and to Puerto del Rosario is demonstrated weekly by concrete actions.”

She added:

“This is not only about meeting European directives or reinforcing our environmental commitment; it also creates green‑job opportunities. Diversifying the island’s economy is essential, and this project offers a great opportunity that we must seize.”

The PP noted that the Zurita Environmental Complex is the only facility of its kind on the island, serving both residents and visitors. With the two plants operational, “waste utilisation will increase and landfill disposal will decrease at the current operational cell.”