&p>Overflowing collection points and waste imports from abroad– what was the image of Mallorca until a few years ago is increasingly becoming a thing of the past. Everyone can contribute to a clean and sustainable island.
Lids up and waste in the garbage can? It's no longer that simple on Mallorca. It's what goes in that counts. Waste separation is an important contribution to environmental protection. The goal of sustainability is becoming more and more widespread on the island. We can all join in.
Sustainability starts in the home
Even if separate waste is not yet collected directly from the doorstep in all towns and municipalities, the familiar basics of plastic, organic waste and paper should be disposed of separately. There are now 62 „puntos verdes“ across the island. At these collection points, known as „green points“, all types of waste are disposed of properly. Last year alone, environmentally conscious citizens brought 32.5 tons of paper, 18.8 tons of packaging and almost 30 tons of glass to the waste facilities. Organic waste was represented with over 25 tons. This amount will be reduced in the future, at least at the collection points. This is because door-to-door collection of organic waste is being organized in more and more places. This is currently the case in 38 municipalities on the island. Everything must go out – but safely
Back to the „puntos verdes“: In addition to the usual waste, the employees at the green points also accept special waste: This includes, for example, old electrical appliances, batteries or waste oil. There is nothing that is not treated and disposed of sustainably here. Each type of waste has its own area where the waste is safely stored and later professionally destroyed.
The handling of waste is regulated by the so-called „Pla Directorial de Residus no perillosos de Mallorca“, a general plan for waste. The term shows the importance of waste management on the island. The plan itself includes truly grand plans: one of the central points is the future handling of glass. Glass deposit to come
The Island Council is currently working on a deposit system for glass bottles. In order to implement this, a cleaning facility for empties must be built, among other things. As Sandra Espejo, Head of the Environment Department, explained, a suitable site has already been selected. Now the construction costs need to be settled. These should either come from the public purse or - what the island council would prefer - be financed by a private investor. It will be some time before everything is in the bag. That's why it's best to move on to the next big point. How do I get rid of my green stuff?
While people are still thinking in terms of projects when it comes to deposits, the professional disposal of plant waste has long been a reality. As a general rule, garden waste cannot simply be disposed of in the nearest rubbish container on Mallorca, and palm waste is subject to strict regulations. Hobby gardeners should refrain from burning prunings in the fall and winter. The countless fires not only regularly cause bad air on the island, they also have a very negative impact on the CO2 balance. It is therefore better to dispose of green waste properly and sustainably.
Make your own humus
Composters are a useful option. Metal or plastic containers are best, as wood rots easily. Plastic composters have the advantage that they also fit into smaller pits and the compost matures faster due to the reliable heat development.
The ideal location for a composter is in partial shade, preferably in a corner that is not completely windless. It should be turned every three months. A layer should be about 20 centimeters thick. After seven months, the compost has reached the optimum stage of maturity and can be used as healthy humus.
Be careful with palm residue
Once again, the municipalities help with their „puntos verdes“ for larger quantities of cuttings and greenery. Garden waste is accepted there free of charge. With the exception of palm trees and palm waste. These must be disposed of properly in Mallorca. The reason for this is the danger posed by the palm weevil. The aim is to prevent the pest from spreading uncontrollably. The regulations vary from municipality to municipality. Therefore, enquire at the town hall beforehand.
Some places collect the palm residues in bins provided for this purpose and by prior arrangement. There are exceptions for the palm genus Phoenix Canariensis: it must be proven to have been free of infestation. The genus Washingtonia, on the other hand, does not cause any problems - with or without infestation.
The palm remnants should be bundled and lashed in batches of one meter. In the case of pest-infested palms, it is also advisable to pack the leftovers in strong, airtight plastic bags and store them securely. It is also possible to dispose of infested palm residues yourself and transport them to the Son Reus waste incineration plant. However, this must be registered with and approved by the Ministry of the Environment. Incidentally, the exact location of the affected palm tree must also be specified using GPS data.
Marc Fischer
