When Palma Wears Flowers — but Also Trash and Traffic: How Mallorca's All Saints' Day Can Become More Sustainable

When Palma Wears Flowers — but Also Trash and Traffic: How Mallorca's All Saints' Day Can Become More Sustainable

The lane at Passeig Mallorca smells of freshly brewed coffee, bakers put out the croissants, and people stroll along Palma's sidewalks carrying bouquets. On November 1 the island shows a very human side: remembrance meets everyday life. But questions hang in the air like wisps of fog over the Passeig — above all this one: Can All Saints' Day in Palma be organized more respectfully and at the same time more environmentally friendly?

A morning between candles and croissants

Those who arrive early at the Son Valentí cemetery hear the clatter of watering cans, murmurs in several languages and every now and then the beep of a bus timetable. The additional EMT services marked Cementeri are a reassuring ritual, almost as dependable as the scent of café con leche on the corner. Still, the day sometimes feels like a puzzle where parking spaces, sidewalks and visitor flows do not quite fit together. Between carnations, chrysanthemums and the occasional plastic ribbons it becomes clear how much tradition and modern logistics collide.

The unresolved problem: plastic, space and noise

Plastic bows and disposable arrangements catch every visitor's eye. They are brightly colored but withstand neither wind nor rain — and later end up as waste. Less noticed is how quickly small facilities like portable toilets, information tents or mobile volunteer teams reach their capacity limits. The result: piles of rubbish in some corners, crowds in others and stressed older visitors who often miss the short routes that should actually be available.

Another often overlooked point is the seasonal strain on public transport: special buses do relieve the parking problem, but they are overcrowded at peak times. Seats are hotly contested, and stops fill up. All this shows: it's not only about feelings, candles and flowers. It's also about infrastructure — and decisions that have long-term consequences for the island, such as plastic waste and traffic.

Concrete solutions — what Palma could do now

No great miracles are needed, but a mix of urban planning, information and small incentives. Some proposals that could be implemented easily on a sunny November morning in Palma:

1. Compost and drop-off points: Collection islands for flowers and arrangements directly at the cemetery edge. A clearly marked area where plastic is immediately sorted out and plants are composted — less waste, better soil for the island.

2. Incentives for long-lasting plants: Partnerships with florists: discounts for potted plants, discount codes in nearby bars for visitors with sustainable arrangements. Small economic incentives change habits.

3. Flexible bus planning: Real-time information on occupancy levels, more vehicles during peak hours and temporary boarding areas to speed up getting on and off. Less crowding means more dignity at farewells.

4. Volunteer network "Water and Change": Volunteers who water in the morning, accompany older people and do small repairs at gravesites. Visible, friendly, practical — and a relief for families.

Sustainable rituals in small steps

Change often starts at home, at the florist or at the bar where you have a coffee after visiting the cemetery. One idea: schools and neighborhood associations could offer workshops in advance — how to make long-lasting arrangements, how composting works or which plants are comforting and durable. It works: a pot of jasmine or a small olive at the grave is no less beautiful than a conspicuous plastic wreath — and much more sustainable.

Sometimes small gestures achieve a lot. A clearly marked place for candle storage, an additional water station, a team that cleans headstones — such services fit well with Mallorca's culture of togetherness. And they make the day a little easier for everyone.

One last look before the return trip

Before the bus leaves the sign Cementeri behind, it's worth taking a quick look back: at the candles, at the watering can, at the people who still sit a little on the stone. All Saints' Day is not just ritual. It is also a test run for an island that can create less waste and more humanity with a few smart steps. If Palma wants it, the ingredients are there: volunteers, city administration, local businesses — and a handful of good ideas. Then you return to everyday life with the last sip of coffee, and the island feels a little more like home again.