Construction personnel are facing fines for alleged illegal dumping in the Canary Islands, according to Canarian Weekly.
Over 5 tons of construction debris were dropped off at a ravine close to the city of Telde, with 80 sacks dumped the first day and 60 the next. Police responded to initial reports by setting up surveillance, which helped them apprehend the perpetrators when they came back to dump 30 more sacks.
Once found, the builders were forced to pick up the sacks of rubble and take them to a licensed waste management facility. The dumping is likely to be classified as a "serious environmental violation," which carries a fine of up to 50,000 euros (over $56,000), pending approval from the local water council.
The ravines of Gran Canaria are home to beautiful geography, with curves cut into stone by wind and water over hundreds of thousands of years. The island has a volcanic origin going back 14 million years. Polluting the landscape with construction material does a disservice to that history and detracts from the natural beauty visitors come to enjoy.
Construction waste more broadly is a challenge to dispose of in a way that is fair to the community and safe for the environment, and construction companies sometimes see it as too expensive to deal with responsibly. But technologies are being developed that can help process it, provided those in the industry actually bring it in. One research group found a way of recycling used concrete that reduces the industry's pollution by 61%, for example. Another program is targeting plastics used in construction for reuse.
The Canary Islands have been working hard to protect their natural spaces. One island has managed full energetic self-sufficiency with ambitious wind power infrastructure. Police forces have worked to stop animal trafficking in the area. Local beaches have significant protections against littering. With this case of construction waste, it's clear that local authorities remain empowered and motivated to support the environment.
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