In 2021 the people of Formentera recycled up to 83.1 kg of glass per inhabitant, the highest recovery rate in the Balearic Islands according to data collected by Ecovidrio. Last year, with the region-wide total tally of 42,839 tonnes of recycled glass packaging waste, or 36.5 kg per capita, the Balearics are leading the nation, says Ecovidrio.

The Formentera Office of Environment backs Ecovidrio's Green Flags push to reward the local hospitality industry for recycling glass containers and joining the fight to stop climate change. Antoni Tur, councillor of environment, underscored the importance of "campaigns like this that help to raise awareness of recycling among the population and businesses". Tur pointed out that "the administrations must work along these lines to reduce waste generation and recycle as much as possible".

180 participating businesses

A total of 180 restaurants and bars on the island have already joined the initiative that aims to reward the island's dining establishments and sustainability activism in summer, particularly with respect to proper waste management. As part of the campaign, Ecovidrio will also launch the very first Balearic Barometer of Sustainable Hospitality, awarding the Balearic establishment most committed to the circular economy and protecting our environment.

23 June 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

Last night the Consell de Formentera activated the protocol for tortoise sightings as a Caretta caretta tortoise attempted to lay eggs on Platja Migjorn. Under the protocol and instructions from technicians at the Wildlife Recovery Consortium of the Balearic Islands (Consorci per a la Recuperació de la Fauna de les Illes Balears, COFIB), technical staff from the Formentera Office of Environment and Beach Lifeguard and Rescue Service cordoned off the area. This morning COFIB staff will visit the island to check if there are eggs in the nests which the tortoise built into the early morning.

At 9.30pm, an off-duty lifeguard called 112 after catching sight of the tortoise as it approached the area. Through the night, technicians from COFIB and Ses Salines Nature Reserve remained on hand to surveil and safeguard the site.

If spotted, the tortoise must be left alone. Passers-by must also refrain from turning on lights, filming or coming within 10 metres of the animal, and are asked to call 112 immediately if more are seen. Last summer one tortoise on our island was frightened away after an individual approached the animal and filmed it as it tried to nest.

21 June 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

This week and last, one hundred local primary school pupils participated "Diving with Posi", an initiative organised by the Vellmarí Association with the collaboration of the Formentera Offices of Education and Environment.

This activity includes an undersea workshop and a diving experience in the sea with goggles and fins. "The goal is to inspire children and young people and teach them the value of posidonia meadows and biodiversity in the Mediterranean", explained Cristina Ozores, director of marine education for the Vellmarí Association and educator with National Geographic.

For her part, Susana Labrador, Councillor of Education, praised the organisers' initiative "because now, in a totally practical way, participants discover the importance of taking care of our sea". In that connection, Antoni Tur, Councillor of Environment, said, "We must foster environmental awareness from an early age, so that the baseline is an eagerness to work towards a more sustainable world".

Pupils at CEIP El Pilar and CEIP Sant Ferran de ses Roques took part in the activity last week. Pupils from CEIP Mestre Lluís Andreu will get their turn to take the plunge Thursday and Friday (9-10 June). Participants receive instructions at a theory-driven workshop before going into the water, then, in groups and with diving instructors, biologists and environmental educators, they visit an area with shallow posidonia meadows where they can observe the seagrass and examples of biodiversity like pomfrets, the Mediterranean rainbow wrasse, amphibians and starfish up close.

The Vellmarí Association published a book entitled Bussejant amb na Posi which has been distributed in schools in years past. This year it will be made available in a digital format. Participating schoolchildren will also receive a souvenir poster.

7 June 2022
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Office of Environment is working to fulfil its commitments under the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (CMCE) of November 2019. The Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan [PAESC] is being prepared at present and, prior to its approval, the Consell invites islanders and local groups to participate by sharing their ideas in this survey.

The CMCE is a tool designed to enable European municipalities to fulfil energy objectives which are set by Europe. Signatory municipalities undertake to: reduce CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030; increase energy efficiency by 27%; increase use of renewable energy sources by 27%; develop a Baseline Emissions Inventory (BEI); conduct a climate change risk and vulnerability assessment.

Efforts on Formentera

Various departments of the Consell are enacting measures to achieve the objectives. Efforts are afoot to revise electricity supply meters, readjust and tailor contracted power to real consumption, monitor solar energy installations and analyse fuel expenses.

Among the assorted initiatives underway are projects to install photovoltaic canopies in public parking lots and new photovoltaic generation systems in municipal facilities; replace conventional luminaires with LED luminaires in holiday lighting; swap in more efficient and alternative fuel-powered vehicles; adapt roads. Other projects involve cycling signage; tax rebates on building permits for energy efficiency improvements, and a network of electric vehicle charging points.

Formentera is also part of VPP4Island, a pioneering European project to facilitate integration of renewable systems and accelerate the transition to smart and green energy.

3 June 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera