A restaurant worker in Tenerife has been fined €2,000 by the Santa Cruz Council for improperly disposing of cardboard waste. On January 11th, he was seen depositing four bags of rubbish on the floor next to the designated recycling bin and not putting it inside the container as required.
This action is classed as a serious violation under the Municipal Waste Management and Public Space Cleaning Ordinance, which stipulates fines ranging from €2,000 to €100,000 for such offences, with even higher penalties for dumping hazardous waste or contaminated soil, which can range from €20,000 to €600,000.
The Council said that it is their duty to enforce the ordinance to ensure respect for communal living standards and prevent rubbish from being strewn across the streets of the island.
"We are obligated to enforce the Municipal Ordinance and, therefore, to penalise those who do not respect the rules of coexistence and whose actions deteriorate our heritage, which belongs to everyone and whose maintenance costs work, effort, and money.”
Carlos Tarife, the Public Services Councillor, said that the police report confirmed this was not the worker's first offence. He had previously been warned for similar behaviour, which involved placing waste outside the bins even when they were empty.
Tarife stressed the importance of using the basura and recycling bins correctly, and emphasised the importance of residents acting responsibly, taking care of public spaces, and adhering to waste disposal regulations to ensure a harmonious living environment.
