More rubbish but fewer tourists

The amount of rubbish produced in Majorca continues to rise despite a reported drop in the number of visitors. Production is up by five per cent in the first six months of the year, according to a spokesman for Tirme, the company which runs the incinerator. Hoteliers, however, claim that the number of visitors is down by as much as 25 per cent in some resort areas. The Tirme spokesman said that the amount of rubbish taken to Son Reus in the first six months of the year was 187'486 tons, compared to 178'952 tons in the same period last year. Figures have been rising steadily since January, Tirme says. Figures for January were 3.9 per cent up on last year and for February the increase was 13.5 per cent, although Tirme manager Angel Fernandez explained this by saying that it was due to the extra day in February because it is a Leap Year. The increases for the other months ranged from 3.1 to 4 per cent. Fernandez said that while in January an average of 832 tons of rubbish a day was entering the incinerator, by June it had risen to 1'262 tons. Fernandez said that the fact that the amount of rubbish generated on the island will continue to increase will have to be accepted. The number of tourists may drop, but the standard of living on the island continues to rise and this in itself will generate more rubbish. Repeated campaigns by the local authorities do not seem to be having the desired effect, although the amount of cardboard and glass deposited in the special bins is on the increase. Fernandez gave the reassurance that at the moment, the two lines of the incinerator are sufficient to cope with the rubbish. But although there seems to be no cause for concern for the immediate future, Tirme is worried about the effect the arrival of an additional 60'000 tons of rubbish from Calvia will have. The controlled rubbish tip in Calvia is due to be closed in the autumn, after which all the refuse from that municipality will also be sent to Son Reus.