More than 6.3 tonnes of waste were removed from the waters and coastlines of the Balearic Islands during August, with Ibiza and Formentera together accounting for almost two tonnes.

The Balearic Government’s coastal-cleaning service collected a total of 6,328.68 kilograms of waste during the month, an average of 204.15 kilograms per day. Ibiza accounted for 1,547.43 kilograms, while Formentera contributed a further 391 kilograms, bringing the combined Pitiusas total to 1,938.43 kilograms.

Ibiza and Formentera Account for Almost Two Tonnes

Among the four islands, Mallorca recorded the largest amount of waste collected in August with 3,252.10 kilograms.

Ibiza followed with 1,547.43 kilograms, while Menorca accounted for 1,138.15 kilograms and Formentera for 391 kilograms.

Together, Ibiza and Formentera represented around 31% of all the waste recovered across the Balearics during the month.

The figures cover material collected from both coastal waters and shoreline areas as part of the regional cleaning operation.

Plastic Was the Largest Category

Plastic once again made up the largest share of the waste recovered.

Crews collected 3,192.60 kilograms of plastic during August, representing 50.45% of the total.

Wood was the second-largest category at 2,061.87 kilograms, or 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.

The figures show how much of the material being removed from the coastline consists of persistent waste such as plastic and wood.

Beach and Coastal Boats Both in Operation

The cleaning service uses two types of vessels depending on where waste is found.

During August, beach boats collected 3,069.78 kilograms, while coastal boats recovered 3,258.90 kilograms.

The 2026 operation includes 23 vessels in total, made up of 15 beach boats and eight coastal boats. The fleet works around Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, allowing crews to operate in shallow coastal areas as well as waters farther offshore.

Special Operations in Ibiza

The crews were also called out to several specific incidents during August.

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

Formentera crews dealt with a different set of incidents, including the removal of a dead dolphin and an oil dispersion.

These interventions are carried out alongside the routine collection of floating waste.

Jellyfish Increase Recorded

The service also reported an increase in jellyfish in bathing areas during August.

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

No Portuguese man-of-war, or carabela portuguesa, were detected in Balearic waters during the month.

The cleaning teams also received and attended eight alerts during August. Five came through the 112 emergency service and Salvamento Marítimo, while three were submitted by institutions or private individuals.

The Campaign Continues Until September 30

The 2026 coastal-cleaning campaign began in May and remains operational until September 30.

The 23-vessel deployment is designed to collect floating waste and protect the environmental quality of the Balearic coastline during the busiest months of the year.

The beach boats are designed to work close to the shore and in shallow areas, while the coastal boats can operate farther from land and respond to incidents in more open waters.

What the August Figures Tell Us

The August figures provide a snapshot of the amount of material being removed from Balearic coastal waters at the height of the summer season.

For Ibiza alone, more than 1.5 tonnes of waste were collected during the month. When Formentera is included, almost two tonnes were removed from the Pitiusas.

Plastic represented more than half of everything collected across the islands, making it the clearest feature of the August figures.

With the cleaning operation continuing through the end of September, the final weeks of the 2026 season will add to the overall picture of waste being recovered from the Balearic coastline.