ISSUE NO. 1698
18 - 24 January 2018
MALLORCA
War on plastic Government serious about sweeping green bans Sweeping green reforms will be discussed this week, as attempts to be more environmentally friendly turn up a notch in the Balearic Islands, according to reports. Plastic waste and non-recyclable materials will be phased out entirely under the regional government’s draft proposals, while food and drink outlets will be forced to serve tap water. If implemented, the new
legislation would see countless plastic items banned completely over the coming years. With plastic bottles seen as particularly harmful, singleuse bottles will be banned imminently. Even vending machine owners will be obliged to install a source of free drinking water nearby - or sell reusable bottles. The law, called the Waste and Soils Polluting Bill, aims to increase recycling rates by
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PLASTIC WASTE: Blights Mallorca’s beaches.
up to 50 per cent in two years and cut waste by up to 10 per cent. Single-use plastic objects including plates, trays, straws, cutlery and coffee cups - will be heavily restricted, before the majority become prohibited entirely by January 2020, if the plans are implemented.
Selling standard plastic bags would be banned by January 1, 2019. Outlets would instead be encouraged to provide reusable bags instead. Mallorca has a serious problem with plastic waste, which blights beaches, waterways and the environment. Worldwide, plastic in the
ocean is leading to the deaths of sea creatures who ingest tiny particles of the material. Scientists believe that plastic is now so widespread in the oceans that it will remain in the food chain for decades and could affect human health… Turn to Page 2