Puerto del Rosario reports record provisional savings nearing seven figures on new waste charge bills

Puerto del Rosario Town Council has published provisional figures for the register of the new Municipal Solid Waste Collection Charge (TRRSU) for 2026 in a statement released this Wednesday. It says that, through rigorous tax management and a strong focus on social needs, the governing group has mitigated the impact of this new mandatory charge, with a provisional net direct saving of €962,917.93 for residents and small and medium-sized businesses in the municipality.

Against initial theoretical gross revenue of €3,793,988.11, forecast revenue will provisionally stand at €2,831,070.18, thanks to the introduction of unprecedented tax relief measures in local government.

The charge is being introduced to meet the legal obligation placed on all local authorities in Spain by Article 11.3 of Act 7/2022 of 8 April on waste and contaminated land for a circular economy. This national legislation requires councils to impose a specific, separate, non-deficit charge that reflects the actual cost of waste collection, transport and treatment, in accordance with the European “polluter pays” principle.

Puerto del Rosario Town Council says it has complied fully with this legal requirement while also designing a set of regulations that prioritises tax fairness and protects household finances.

Puerto del Rosario Mayor David de Vera highlighted the substantial effort made to coordinate the council’s response to the national law while protecting residents: “Our absolute priority as a governing group has been, is and always will be to protect the families of Puerto del Rosario. Act 7/2022 required us to introduce this charge, but it did not require us to do so with our backs turned to the public. We have worked tirelessly to draw up tax regulations that comply strictly with the law while providing the strongest possible social safety net. Leaving almost a million euros in our residents’ hands, provisionally, in this first year of implementation shows that it is possible to comply with European environmental law without suffocating household finances or our small businesses.” The council has also reduced property tax (IBI) for taxpayers, cutting the tax take by almost €400,000, which will undoubtedly ease the burden on households and small and medium-sized businesses.

Economy and Finance councillor Juan Manuel Verdugo highlighted the technical figures in the register and the administrative flexibility being offered to taxpayers, noting that the process remains open: “The financial figures are exceptionally positive and demonstrate our commitment to taxpayers. We have applied a blanket 30% reduction to the variable rate across the municipality’s 21,335 bills. In addition, 2,663 taxpayers are already benefiting from further discounts that can be combined. We are seeing some very significant reductions in charges. For example, a resident in one of our villages with a home of more than 100 square metres will see their standard-rate bill fall from €76.80 to just €38.40, thanks to the large-family discount and completion of the awareness course. That is a direct saving of 50%. For homes with daily waste collection, the average bill will be €94 after reductions and discounts are applied. For businesses with premises of up to 150 square metres, the annual bill will be around €215 once discounts have been applied.”

“It is very important to stress that these figures are provisional. The Revenue Department is currently working intensively to process discount applications submitted by residents and resolve any issues with them, so that no one who meets the requirements is left out. We are also working to commission a new environmental training course, so residents who could not take part in the first rounds can benefit from these reductions in 2026 and 2027.

“Residents will have an extensive period, until 31 December 2027, to submit claims, provide documentation and request that their discount be applied retroactively through the Citizen Information and Assistance Office.”

The provisional 2026 register reflects the success of the environmental and social incentive measures introduced by the Town Council:

Through these measures, Puerto del Rosario Town Council is at the forefront of efficient and socially responsible tax management, demonstrating that the transition to a circular economy and compliance with European sustainability guidelines can go hand in hand with residents’ financial wellbeing.