Nearly two tonnes of waste were removed from the waters and coastline of Ibiza and Formentera during August as part of the Balearic Government's coastal-cleaning programme.

The service collected a combined 1,938.43 kilograms of waste around the two islands, with Ibiza accounting for 1,547.43 kilograms and Formentera for a further 391 kilograms.

Across the Balearic Islands, crews removed 6,328.68 kilograms during the month, equivalent to an average of 204.15 kilograms every day.

Ibiza Accounts for More Than 1.5 Tonnes

Ibiza recorded the second-highest amount of waste collected in the Balearics during August, behind Mallorca.

A total of 1,547.43 kilograms was removed from Ibiza's coastal waters and shoreline.

Mallorca accounted for 3,252.10 kilograms, while Menorca recorded 1,138.15 kilograms.

Formentera's 391 kilograms brought the total collected across the Pitiusas to almost 1.94 tonnes.

Plastic Was the Largest Category

Plastic was by far the most common type of waste recovered during the month.

Across the Balearic Islands, 3,192.60 kilograms of plastic were collected, representing 50.45% of the total.

Wood was the second-largest category, with 2,061.87 kilograms or 32.58%.

The remaining material included 714.65 kilograms classified as other waste, 213.22 kilograms of organic material, 137.67 kilograms of vegetation and 8.66 kilograms of oils.

Different Types of Coastal Waste

The material recovered by the cleaning crews ranges from everyday marine litter to larger objects and material associated with vessels and coastal activity.

The programme operates both near beaches and further offshore, allowing crews to remove floating waste before it reaches sensitive coastal areas or is carried onto beaches.

The large proportion of plastic collected in August once again highlights the persistence of plastic pollution in Mediterranean waters.

Specific Incidents in Ibiza and Formentera

Alongside routine waste collection, the service also responded to individual incidents during August.

In Ibiza, crews attended a drifting vessel and removed a work raft from the sea.

In Formentera, the service was involved in the removal of a dead dolphin and also responded to an oil-related incident.

These interventions form part of the same coastal-cleaning operation, which also handles reports of floating objects and other potentially hazardous material.

Jellyfish Activity Also Increased

The coastal-cleaning service reported an increase in jellyfish during August.

Between 15 and 20 kilograms of jellyfish from different species were collected across the Balearic Islands.

Importantly, no Portuguese man-of-war were detected during the month's operations.

The service dealt with eight jellyfish-related alerts, including calls received through the 112 emergency system and Maritime Rescue as well as reports from institutions and private individuals.

A Fleet of 23 Boats

The Balearic coastal-cleaning programme operated with 23 vessels during the 2026 season.

The fleet includes 15 beach boats and eight larger coastal boats, distributed between Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

The smaller vessels concentrate on bathing areas and beaches, while the larger boats work further offshore and along the wider coastline.

The service began its 2026 campaign in May and is scheduled to continue until September 30.

August Is the Busiest Period

The August figures are particularly relevant because the month coincides with the peak of the Balearic tourism season.

Large numbers of visitors, recreational boats and beach users place additional pressure on coastal areas, while stronger winds and sea conditions can also move floating waste between different parts of the coastline.

The cleaning programme is designed to respond to those conditions throughout the summer.

Nearly Two Tonnes in the Pitiusas

With 1,547.43 kilograms collected around Ibiza and another 391 kilograms in Formentera, the Pitiusas accounted for almost one-third of all waste removed across the Balearic Islands during August.

The figures underline the scale of the work taking place around the islands' coastlines during the busiest month of the year.

Plastic represented more than half of all the material recovered across the archipelago.

The Campaign Continues Until the End of September

The coastal-cleaning service will remain operational through September 30, meaning further waste will continue to be removed during the final weeks of the summer season.

For Ibiza and Formentera, the August figures show that coastal pressure extends beyond the visible rubbish found on beaches.

Almost two tonnes of material were recovered from the Pitiusas in a single month, including substantial quantities of plastic, while crews also responded to individual maritime incidents and increased jellyfish activity.

With the summer season approaching its final weeks, the coastal-cleaning operation remains active around both islands.