Balearic Islands' law for waste and polluted lands

Ultimartely, the Balearic Islands' law for waste and polluted lands intends to provide legal direction to the turn towards the new european and global principles of the circular economy. It completes the basic national legislation of Spain and improves the level of environemental protection it provides. It is aligned with the new European Directive for waste 2018/98/CE and, as presented in its preamble, intends to improve the existing legislation to better preserve the environement and contribute effectively to the implementation of a new model of development and growth that will optimize the use of the ressources, materials and products. Specifically, as from 1.1.2021, it will prohibits the following single-use products: Lightweight plastic bags, Plastic dishes (coated disposable trays, plates, cutlery, drinking cups), Drinking straws, Disposable razors, Disposable lighters, Cotton swabs, Lollipop sticks, Disposable wipes, Single-use capsules for coffee, Disposable toners and cartridges. Drinking water on the island will also be made accessible to everyone in public buildings. From 2021, hotels, cafés and restaurants will also be required to provide guests with free tap water (as long as they have drinking water suitable for consumption). In addition, plastic disposable pre-portioned packs may no longer be offered in food and sanitary areas in hotels and restaurants. These include, for example, ketchup, mustard, sugar, jam, etc., but also shampoo, creams, lotions, etc. for toiletries. The aim is to reduce the volume of waste by a total of ten per cent by 2021 and by 20 per cent by 2030 through better waste separation. To this end, "pay as you throw" fees will be introduced for the various waste categories and a bonus system for best practices. Another target is to reduce food waste by 50 per cent by 2030. Anyone who violates the law must expect fines of between EUR 300 and EUR 1.75 million.