Ibiza waste tops 146,000 tonnes, pulling further from target

Ibiza, in Spain’s Balearic Islands, faces a growing waste problem: it generated more than 146,000 tonnes in 2025, up 4.2% on the previous year. The Ibiza and Formentera Preservation Sustainability Observatory says that puts the island further from its legal target for 2030. By then, waste per person must be 20% below its 2010 level.

Instead, the observatory’s adjusted figures show waste per person rising from 595.73 kilograms in 2010 to 645.75 kilograms in 2025. Around 88% of the extra 5,171.15 tonnes generated last year came from private producers, businesses and other establishments that produce large amounts of waste.

Landfill takes most deliveries

The Ca Na Putxa waste facility received just over 168,000 tonnes from Ibiza and Formentera in 2025. Nearly 103,000 tonnes went to landfill — 61% of what the facility received. The Balearic waste law sets a separate target: no more than 10% of waste generated should go to landfill by 2030.

The observatory warns that the landfill has a limited working life. Restrictions on dumping meant alternatives had to be sought in 2025, including sending waste off the island for energy recovery.

Textiles remain in mixed rubbish

Textiles made up 9.8% of the mixed rubbish examined at Ca Na Putxa. That amounts to nearly 7,800 tonnes left out of separate collection and, with it, the route to reuse or recycling. Municipalities have been required to provide separate textile collection since January 2025, but the observatory says Ibiza is not meeting that requirement.

Separate collection did rise by 2% in 2025, to more than 40,000 tonnes. It still accounted for only 33.9% of municipal waste. The observatory says the island must reduce waste at source, not just find ways to handle more of it.

Topics: Environment

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com