Protecting Playa de Ajabo: Heavy Trash, Big Hearts, and Hope for Tenerife’s Future
On July 25th, the Canary Green community gathered at Playa de Ajabo in Callao Salvaje for another impact-driven beach clean-up. While every clean-up is special, this one left an exceptionally deep impression on our team—bringing together moments of incredible pride, alarming discoveries, and genuine local solidarity.
Here is how the day unfolded, what we found, and why our mission goes far deeper than just picking up trash.
Dedicated Hearts & A New Generation Leading the Way
We had initially expected a crowd of around 50 volunteers, but with the intense island heat on the day, 25 dedicated individuals showed up ready to work. Knowing the tough weather conditions, we appreciate the effort, energy, and determination of those 25 volunteers even more. Every single person made a massive difference!
What filled our hearts with particular pride was seeing so many children rolling up their sleeves. Watching the younger generation actively participate, pick up debris, and ask questions about nature is the ultimate reminder of why we do this. Their enthusiasm gave the entire day a powerful sense of hope.
More Than Just Cleaning: Changing Behavior
At Canary Green, our goal when organizing a clean-up is never just about picking up rubbish from the sand. It’s about changing behavior.
For us, these events are educational tools designed to spark awareness, inspire conscious choices, and empower people to become active participants in a long-term sustainable shift. When volunteers—especially young ones—physically handle waste, they reconnect with the environment and realize how small daily actions impact our planet. Cleaning the beach is the action; transforming mindsets is the mission.
The Hidden Reality: From Beach Litter to the Barranco “Dump”
Together, our volunteers cleared a substantial amount of waste from both the shoreline and the water, where microplastics, cigarette butts, and bottle caps were scattered. However, the most shocking discoveries lay just a few steps inland in the barranco (ravine).
Moving along the ravine, our team uncovered what can only be described as an illegal, open-air landfill. Among the overgrown brush, volunteers hauled out absurdly large and heavy items, including:
A full-sized bathtub
Microwave ovens and televisions
Clothes drying racks and household chairs
Suitcases and indoor lamps
Even an entire car engine
It is deeply saddening to see our natural ravines being treated as dumping grounds. In Tenerife, barrancos are vital ecological corridors; during heavy rains, whatever is left in a ravine washes straight down into the ocean. Removing these heavy items is tough physical work, but exposing and tackling these illegal dumping sites is essential to protecting both our land and marine ecosystems.
Fueling the Mission: A Special Thanks to Our Partners & Team
After hours of hard work under the sun, our volunteers were treated to a well-deserved celebration!
We want to send a massive thank you to Manuel and the team at L’Osteria, the fantastic restaurant located right on Playa de Ajabo. Manuel generously sponsored our event and served us an incredible, delicious paella that recharged everyone’s energy.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to MYND Hotels, whose support and shared commitment to eco-conscious tourism make initiatives like this possible, as well as Ocean Beer for keeping everyone refreshed with their ocean-loving brews.
A special note of appreciation goes to our photographer, Michelle, who captured all the hard work, smiles, and memorable moments throughout the day. Thanks to her talent, we have these powerful visual stories to share.
Looking Ahead: A Reflection on Our Coastlines
To everyone who braved the heat, grabbed a pair of gloves, hauled heavy metal out of the barranco, or brought their children along to teach them about nature: THANK YOU. You are driving the real change Tenerife needs.
Playa de Ajabo is cleaner today because of you, but the journey doesn’t end here. Let’s keep leading by example, changing behaviors, and pushing for a cleaner, greener future!
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