-
- Waste Management
- Policy Instrument
Law 8/2019, February 19th, of waste and contaminated soils of the Balearic Islands
- Waste prevention
- Sustainable waste management
- Law
| Balearic Islands, Spain | |
| Govern de les Illes Balears |
Reducing the amount of waste generated at source is regarded as the higher priority according to the waste hierarchy established in the Waste Framework Directive. Waste prevention is closely linked with improving manufacturing methods and influencing consumers to demand greener products and less packaging.
The Law 8/2019 has a deep impact on prevention of waste, prohibiting, among others, a wide range of one-use-only products. In this sense from January, 1st 2021 the Balearic Islands will be subject to following restrictions:
- Commercial establishments will not be able to distribute one-use-only plastic bags, only composting ones.
- Use, distribution and selling of one-use-only plastic plates, glasses and cutlery will be forbidden except composting ones.
- Use of single-dose food products and one use- only tools at HORECA sector for the consumption of food or drink at the same place will be forbidden except cellulose ones.
- Plastic straws, lollypop sticks and cotton swabs will only be able to be commercialized and distributed if they are made of compostable products.
- One-use-only coffee, herbal teas and beverages capsules, sold at the Balearic Islands must be made of compostable materials or (organically or mechanically) easily recyclable.
- Distribution and selling of products containing microplastics and nanoplastics; non-reusable and non-rechargeable toners and cartridges for printers and photocopiers and models of lighters which cannot guarantee at least 3.000 effective lights will be forbidden.
- Distribution of beverages in one-use-only packages will not be allowed in buildings hosting Public Service.
- On public events, including sportive ones, supported by Public Sector, alternatives to the selling and distribution of one-use-only beverages and one-use-only glasses must
- be implemented and access to non-packaged water supply or in reusable bottles must be guaranteed.
- HORECA sector establishments must offer free non-packaged water supply.
- On January, 1st 2025, distribution and selling of non-rechargeable shaving razors will be forbidden. Rechargeable ones will also have to be made of recyclable materials.
Main objectives
- The aim of this law is the management of the prevention regime on the waste production and management together with the regulation of contaminated soils in the territorial scope of the Balearic Islands.
- The waste prevention and management regime aims to accomplish a higher quality of the environment and a higher protection of human health and ensure prudent and rational use of natural resources and promote a more circular economy.