The Formentera Environment Department reports that a 2020 tally of local waste came in at approximately 7,538 metric tonnes (t) — a 26.6% drop relative to the 10,223 t generated one year earlier.

Figures for urban solid waste collection waned as well, falling from 6,236 t in 2019 to 5,057 t in 2020 (-19%). Paper and cardboard collection diminished in kind, going from 959 t to 678 t (-29%), while plastics slipped from 680 t to 551 t (-19%) and glass from 977 t to 658 t (-33%).

Environment chief Antonio J Sanz said the pandemic’s mark on last year’s figures was understandable and “plain to see”, pointing up pronounced dips in paper and glass collection (“both materials are more common to the hospitality industry”, added Sanz, “sadly where most closures and activity level hits have occurred”). “On the bright side, upswings came in plastic, paper and cardboard recycling in the two pre-pandemic months of 2020, meaning islanders are getting better at recycling, particularly when it comes to glass, paper and cardboard, and that we have a clearer sense of good practices in general”.

Collection of food scraps and other organic waste was placed on hold last year for reasons related to public health. “Our local process for treating organic waste is very labour intensive”, Sanz asserted, adding that, given the public health risk the procedure represented, a decision was made to prioritise worker safety. As to whether organic waste collection would resume in 2021 and what such a resumption might look like, Sanz insisted the answer would depend on the unfolding pandemic. Without counting organic collections, overall recycling slipped to 25.04% in 2020 (down from 32.48% a year earlier).

First Zero Waste Municipality
The island’s most recent plenary assembly brought backing for Formentera’s membership in ‘Zero Waste Municipalities’, a certification programme of the European Union in which Formentera is now Spain’s first participating municipality. Eligibility requires staying the course on recycling policies, including the Consell’s pallet reuse initiative, which currently runs a tally of nearly 700 repurposed pallets, and a two-month-old recycled cycles programme which has already secured new homes for nearly one hundred used bicycles. But, Councillor Sanz insists, work is far from over. “Our two-part mission is to cut waste and use our resources more efficiently, and it's one we’ve yet to fully accomplish today”.

4 February 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

Approximately one year into the pandemic, the Consell de Formentera’s new communications push, “Now more than ever, practise emotional self-care”, strives to send islanders positive messages in the form of posters and videos disseminated mostly across social media.

A range of general tips are spotlighted in the campaign’s central poster, which is set for release today along with two more specific messages: the first encourages islanders to exercise and take walks and the second highlights the positive affects of time spent with pets. Other targeted posters to follow will centre on wide-ranging topics such as enjoying the outdoors, maintaining oneself occupied with hobbies, keeping touch with loved ones and following a healthy diet.

Accompanying videos directed by Alfredo Montero and starring regular islanders show the reality of the ongoing situation while holding out messages of encouragement and turning a light on the bright side of things, and of living on an island like Formentera. The first video features one of the biggest names in Formentera sport: Juanjo Escandell.

In recent times many people have felt or are feeling blue, something local premiere Alejandra Ferrer describes as “totally natural given the sustained period of uncertainty that’s turned our world upside down”. “The present campaign is about the power of positive thinking”, she added.

One of the campaign’s crucial points, according to Ferrer, is that not everyone is spending the pandemic in a place where open spaces abound and crowds are minimal. “We also wanted to stress the importance of maintaining social contact”, continued the president, “even if it’s with a mobile phone, or on the computer.” Other key sources of relief by Ferrer’s lights are books, a healthy diet and music. “Essentially we want islanders to be thinking about emotional self-care and thinking positively, because the net impact on our wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around us is positive.” Another crucial message to bear in mind? “We have, through collective sacrifice, overcome hardship again and again throughout history. This time will be no different.”

Click here to see the first video.

3 February 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera