The Formentera Office of Environment reports that this Sunday 15 May will mark the return of door-to-door organic waste pick-up at the nearly 150 establishments registered on the island. In 2020 the service was suspended due to COVID-19 health measures, and began late in the season for the same reason in 2021. Collection of organic waste starts 15 May and runs until 15 October, coinciding with the periods of highest waste generation.

Last year saw the collection of 295,385 tonnes (t) of organic matter, which is used to produce high quality compost made available to the Farmland Cooperative [Cooperativa del Camp] to fertilise the fields which have been donated to the Farmland Reserve. Organics pick-up has increased since the pilot test in Sant Francesc in 2017, when 100 t were collected. A total of 541.77 t were collected when the service was extended to the entire island in 2018, and 704.11 t were collected one year later.

Antoni Tur, Councillor of Environment, praised the collaboration of participating businesses and celebrated that "this year we can get back to normal and pick up organics door to door like before the pandemic". The councillor underscored the importance of "moving towards a better management of our waste" and asserted that "organics collection for private citizens will be boosted with the new waste contract, which will provide for the installation and servicing of collection bins".

In 2021, Formentera generated a total of 9,694.64 t of waste, 30.13% of which was recycled. Broken down by categories, that figure included 991 t of glass (10.22%), 901.26 t of paper and cardboard (9.30%), 733.32 t of light packaging (7.56%) and 295.38 t (3.05%).

Home composting course

The Consell de Formentera also hopes to organise a course on home composting if demand exists. Individuals who are keen to take part can sign up by sending an email to the Formentera Office of Environment at mediambient@conselldeformenetera.cat or by calling 971 321 210 ext. 1. The course will be held when enough interested parties have registered.

12 May 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

Today Ana Juan, President of the Consell de Formentera; Alejandra Ferrer, Vice President and Councillor of Tourism, and Paula Ferrer, Councillor of Sports, presented the 13th Half Marathon of Formentera and the ninth 8K run from Sant Ferran to La Savina, both of which will take place Saturday 14 May. More than 3,700 athletes from various countries and cities in Spain have signed up to take part in the trials. The presentation was also attended by Manual Hernández, director of Unisport Consulting, which organises the two events; Nuria de la Torre, director of marketing at Trasmapi, and Gaelle Ledour, chief of the Eivissa-Formentera division of Caixabank. Trasmapi and Caixabank are the two main sponsors of the races.

President Juan insisted that Formentera was "ready and excited to receive the biggest trial on the island's extensive spring sports calendar". She also highlighted changes at this year's starting line: "As an event, the Half Marathon about enjoying sport and this special ecosystem that is Formentera, and it is important for everyone that the event be respectful of the environment. So this year, to respect the habitat of the virot [Puffinus mauretanicus], the entertainment tent has been moved from the starting line in La Mola; and also, like last year, no single-use plastics will be used at the event".

Vice President Ferrer underscored "the attractiveness of this competition that, apart from giving participants a way to tour the island from tip to tip, provides them and their companions with a chance to enjoy Formentera, and our nature, culture and gastronomy, in the month of May".

Formentera's spring of sport

For her part, Paula Ferrer said she was "very satisfied because the island is showing that we can host globally relevant events in an array of sports like sailing, judo, chess, cycling and athletics. Taken together, the various functions draw upwards of six thousand people to the island". The Councillor of Sports additionally praised "the work of volunteers, security forces, civil protection and medical workers that make this competition possible".

Lastly, Manuel Hernández stressed that "the race has again practically covered its quota of participants, another sign of its relevance and consolidation on the national and international calendar".

Saving 22,500 plastic bottles

As in 2021, whenever they wish, participants will be able to fill a reusable water bottle delivered at the finish line with water or soft drinks. The containers can be filled at the various refreshment points throughout the race. This will save up to 22,500 plastic bottles in one day.

Ecopilas will be back as well to encourage people to recycle batteries and, this year, in collaboration with the Consell de Formentera and Balearic Government, awareness activities will focus on teaching island pupils about the importance of recycling a highly polluting material.

The two races will start at 5.30pm: the Half Marathon, as usual, at La Mola lighthouse, and the 8K run in Sant Ferran.

11 May 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera