Large illegal garbage dump found on a finca in Son Reus

Unpleasant Surprise in Son Reus: The Amount of Waste Is Shocking

Early Tuesday morning, around 07:15, officers of the Policia Local together with the Guardia Civil on the grounds of a finca in Son Reus came across a massive illegal dumping site. Who would expect, among almond trees and old dry stone walls, to encounter cars, boats and piles of rubble?

What the emergency services found

The area involved covers about 800 square meters according to initial estimates. On site were counted more than 1,000 cubic meters of material: bricks, concrete chunks, old cushions, tires and several vehicles that appear to have been decommissioned. Some boats lay upside down on the ground — all jumbled, partly with oil stains and other contaminants.

A resident later described that the smell could already be detected from the street: a diesel and mold odor. The birds avoid the site. Such images linger, especially when you live on the island and value the landscape.

Investigations and legal steps

The police filed a report. Investigations are now underway against the alleged operators for violations of environmental regulations. Experts from the environmental department were brought in to take samples and check whether soil or groundwater are contaminated. In a find of this size, not only fines but also criminal consequences threaten.

We will fully clarify the case, said a Guardia Civil spokesperson. At the same time we must act quickly to prevent further damage. Specifically: documentation, securing the site, and planning proper disposal.

What must happen now

Authorities announced they would tighten controls in Palma and surroundings. For residents this means: stay vigilant and report illegal dumps immediately. There are clear reporting channels at the municipality and the police – the sooner, the better to prevent greater damage.

Disposal is expensive, but the consequences of improper dumping are more expensive: increased fire risk, pollutant discharge, harm to wildlife. Specialist firms must remove the rubble, replace contaminated soil, and dispose of used motor oil properly.

A Call to the Neighborhood

Such cases affect not only nature, they burden neighborhoods. Anyone who has seen something, unusual vehicles at night or deliveries, should report it. Only together can we prevent outdoor areas from becoming dumpsites.

The ongoing investigations will show how large the criminal and regulatory response will be. Until then, the finca in Son Reus remains a sobering example of how quickly the landscape can suffer when rules are ignored.