Formentera saves nearly five hundred pallets from rubbish tip

foto 2020 paletsThe Formentera Department of Environment reports that 459 pallets have been repurposed since the 2019 launch of a programme encouraging islanders to reuse wood pallets from the local household waste recycling centre, or Deixalleria.

The first of its kind, the project aims to give new life to pallets at the transfer station that are bound for shredding and shipment to Eivissa—a service that the Consell de Formentera provides at a loss. It costs €171 to ship one tonne of 25-kilogram pallets to Formentera’s northern neighbour. To date the programme has brought savings totalling €1,950.

Environment chief Antonio J. Sanz highlighted the programme’s warm reception among islanders in the midst of the pandemic and lockdown measures. European, national and regional administrations require that local governments implement such initiatives to promote the reuse of materials and waste.

The free pallets can be picked up from the Deixalleria provided interested parties register and complete certain conditions, such as promising to use them sensibly and respect environmental regulations, and not resell pallets. It is expressly prohibited to burn pallets that have been chemically treated or painted. The Consell de Formentera reserves the right to reclaim any donated pallets if recipients break these rules.

18 September 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera