The Balearic Islands' coastal-cleaning service removed more than 6.3 tonnes of waste from the sea and coastline during August, with Ibiza and Formentera together accounting for almost two tonnes.

A total of 6,328.68 kilograms of waste was collected across the islands during the month, an average of 204.15 kilograms per day. The figures have been released by the Balearic Government's Ministry of the Sea and Water Cycle.

Ibiza and Formentera

Ibiza accounted for 1,547.43 kilograms of the waste collected in August.

Formentera contributed a further 391 kilograms, bringing the combined total for the Pitiusas to 1,938.43 kilograms.

Mallorca recorded the highest amount, with 3,252.10 kilograms, followed by Ibiza, Menorca with 1,138.15 kilograms and Formentera.

Plastic Makes Up More Than Half

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

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

Wood was the second-largest category at 2,061.87 kilograms, equivalent to 32.58%, followed by other waste at 714.65 kilograms, organic waste at 213.22 kilograms, vegetation at 137.67 kilograms and oils at 8.66 kilograms.

More Than 3,000 Kilograms Collected by Beach Boats

The cleaning operation uses two types of vessels.

Beach boats collected 3,069.78 kilograms during August, while the coastal vessels recovered a slightly larger 3,258.90 kilograms.

The fleet is distributed between Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera according to the needs of each area.

Special Operations in Ibiza

The service also carried out several specific interventions during the month.

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

Formentera crews were called to remove a dead dolphin and also dealt with an oil spill or dispersion.

Jellyfish Increase Recorded

The coastal-cleaning teams also reported an increase in jellyfish in bathing areas during August.

Between 15 and 20 kilograms of jellyfish from different species were removed across the Balearics.

Importantly, no Portuguese man-of-war were found in the islands during the month.

The service received and dealt with eight related alerts, five originating from the 112 emergency service and Maritime Rescue, and three from institutions and private individuals.

The Campaign Runs Until September 30

The 2026 coastal-cleaning campaign began in May and is scheduled to remain operational until September 30.

The current deployment consists of 23 vessels, including 15 beach boats and eight coastal boats, operating across the four main islands.

The programme is intended to remove floating waste and material from bathing areas and coastal waters while also responding to specific incidents reported during the season.

What the August Figures Show

The August figures highlight the continuing pressure placed on Balearic coastal areas during the busiest part of the tourism season.

For Ibiza, more than 1.5 tonnes of waste were removed from the coastline and surrounding waters during the month, while Formentera added another 391 kilograms.

Plastic accounted for more than half of everything collected across the islands, underlining the scale of marine litter still reaching coastal waters.

With the cleaning campaign continuing through the end of September, further figures will show how much waste is removed during the final weeks of the 2026 summer season.