Almost 37 Tons of Waste: What Mallorca's Cleanup Fleet Really Tells Us

When the morning in the harbor smells of espresso, diesel and seaweed

Early in the morning, when the sun is just kissing the edge of the Tramuntana, Palma's harbor smells of espresso, diesel and damp dew. The clinking of boats mixes with the cries of seagulls, fishermen fold their nets, and along the quay people are already talking about the first catch of the day. What is not immediately noticeable: the piles of plastic that the same hands hauled from small coves and shallow water zones the day before. Between May and the end of September, authorities reported just under 37 tons of waste — recovered by a fleet of 23 specialized vessels. A figure that impresses — and raises questions.

Key question: Do cleanup boats solve the problem — or only mask its causes?

This question is not a theoretical exercise. On the decks of the collection boats land plastic bottles, packaging, boat debris, lost fishing nets and even beach loungers. The picture is clear: the fleet cleans up. But what remains invisible are the paths by which this waste reaches the sea — from storm drains that overflow during rain, to poorly equipped harbors, to careless tourists and inadequate disposal services. As long as the causes on land are not addressed, we run in circles: clean up, clean up, clean up.

The tally speaks — but it is also silent

An increase of one third compared to the previous year sounds like a setback. But numbers do not lie outright, they need context. More waste can mean: truly more waste in the sea. Equally plausible is: better coordination, more boats, more thorough documentation. Seasonal effects play a major role: autumn storms wash street litter into coves, heavy rains carry empty bottles and bags from streets into river mouths. And then there are the costs — not only for fuel, but also personnel, sorting facilities, ecological impacts and the effort required to dispose of recovered items.

What is rarely spoken aloud in discussions is the role of harbor infrastructure. Many small harbors in Mallorca do not have enough separate collection containers or take-back points for fishing gear. If a fisherman in Portixol or Cala Figuera cannot dispose of damaged nets properly, part of them will eventually end up in the water — often unintentionally, but with long-term consequences for marine life and diving tourism.

What is missing from the public debate

Besides infrastructure and seasonality, three points are often overlooked: first, the transparency of data; second, the economic burden on local municipalities; and third, the handling of lost fishing gear. Open, GPS-supported lists of finds would allow volunteer groups, schools and research teams to close gaps in collection more purposefully. At the same time, a clearer accounting of costs would show how much a society really invests in cleanup — and who should pay.

Concrete: Measures that could have an impact on Mallorca

The good news: many levers can be controlled locally. No national law is needed to take action on a promenade, in a harbor or at a river mouth. Possible steps include:

1. Strengthen harbor and beach infrastructure: More and better signposted collection containers, separate reception for fishing equipment and regular free disposal days for larger items.

2. Net management in fisheries: Mandatory labeling of nets, buy-back programs and local incentives to return old nets properly — this reduces unintentional losses.

3. Rainwater filters at outlets: Small sieves or sediment traps at drainage outlets catch a lot before waste reaches the bay. Technically simple, locally installed and surprisingly efficient.

4. Open data and citizen engagement: GPS-supported lists of finds, publicly accessible operation numbers and coordinated volunteer actions make the whole effort more transparent and effective.

Opportunities — and what is needed now

The 37 tons are more than a statistic: they are proof of the commitment of authorities, volunteers and fishermen. But if we want the fleet to have to go out less often, we need a bundling of measures. Investments in harbor facilities, programs with the fishing sector and a pragmatic phase-out of single-use items at tourist hotspots would be a start. Such projects cost money — but they save in the long run: cleaner beaches, healthier fish stocks, less burden on cleanup teams and stronger tourism assets.

And quite simply: individual behavior matters. Whoever takes a bag off the beach, skips the plastic straw in a café or avoids dumping waste into drains during heavy rain changes the picture. The boats tie up in the harbors, the crews take a quick shower and go home. Tomorrow at seven they will be out at sea again. Whether they then have less or more work largely depends on what we do differently here on land.

What you can do: Don’t leave trash behind, avoid single-use plastics, join local cleanups — and talk to authorities about missing disposal options in small harbors. Small steps, big effect.