Organics pick-up is back—Formentera reactivates collection service for island's biggest waste producers

foto 2022 recycleThe 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