Sustainability in Calvià

Posidonia, the ecological treasure of the Mediterranean

Calvià is a leading Mediterranean municipality known for its natural beach cleaning and maintenance methods, which have been studied by various countries and institutions, including Tunisia's government of the Monastir tourist area.

Calvià has established efficient and environmentally respectful procedures for cleaning, storing and returning Posidonia to the coast. This process aims to preserve the environment, retain sand on the beaches, and ensure the natural cycle of Posidonia. Annually, around 4,600 tons of Posidonia are removed and stored in municipal tents. Once dried, the weight is reduced to about 2,600 tons, which is then returned to the beaches after the tourist season. Special machinery, designed to minimise impact and accidental sand removal, is used for collection, with manual removal when necessary. It is adapted to the set periods depending on whether the beaches are urban or natural, with or without services. This work, carried out by Calvià 2000, aims to combat beach erosion during the winter, with Posidonia acting as a natural storm barrier.

Regenerated water, clean water for urban and agricultural use

Calvià is a leader in regenerated water production and water cycle management in the Balearic Islands. At the ERA (Water Regeneration Station) in Santa Ponça, up to 10 million litres of water can be saved daily. The station can produce over 20,000 cubic metres of regenerated water, with 10,000 cubic metres (quality 1.1) suitable for irrigating private gardens, parks, street cleaning, WC cisterns, and sports fields, and the rest (quality 2.1) for golf courses and agricultural irrigation. This capacity can regenerate wastewater for a population of 118,000, saving potable water from the regular supply.

Calvià's regenerated water network spans 55 kilometres, irrigating public green spaces, including a 24-kilometer network along Paseo Calvià for 100,000 square metres. A project is underway to expand the network by 17 kilometres, funded by over 4 million euros from the ITS (Sustainable Tourism Tax), aiming to irrigate 914,000 square meters with regenerated water. A notable example is the St Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, where a pilot project reuses regenerated water for garden irrigation, showcasing the private sector's commitment to sustainability and the economic and environmental benefits.

Ahead of european regulations on microplastic elimination

Calvià has once again set the standard for innovation in environmental sustainability matters. The municipality has faced the problem of microplastics reaching the sea, aff ecting the environment and the food chain. The European Commission has set a deadline of 2031 for the discontinuation of artifi cial grass football fi elds using the current system. These fi elds must be replaced with alternative materials that are not harmful. The Julián Ronda fi eld in Costa d’en Blanes is the fi rst in the Balearic Islands and the third in Spain to be equipped with this sustainable and environmentally friendly technology. The new artifi cial turf is state-of-the-art. The key innovation is that it includes an organic maize granulate infi ll, instead of the microplastics that were previously used. The maize granulate is biodegradable and harmless if it reaches the sea.

Objective: recycle 100% of glass

The path to sustainable tourism involves recycling, focusing on scaling and turning waste into recyclable assets. This philosophy is promoted by the Town Hall of Calvià through Calvià 2000.

In recent years, glass recycling campaigns have been launched, involving businesses in the municipality. Annually, 70 kilograms of glass have been collected per inhabitant, totalling over 3,700 tons with the participation of nearly 500 restaurants and bars. These figures increase during the summer months. Ecovidrio, Spain's glass packaging recycling management system, has recognised Calvià as a leading coastal municipality in sustainability and circular economy, awarding it a Green Flag for its selective glass collection and the active participation of 95.9% of hospitality establishments in summer recycling campaigns.

Calvià doubles the Spanish average for paper and cardboard recycling

Blue tourism focuses on conserving marine and coastal ecosystems while promoting the sustainable development of local communities. This strategy seeks to reduce the environmental impact of tourism and enhance the cultural and natural wealth of coastal destinations.

Key beach and coastline management aspects include aligning beach services with responsible tourism and ensuring the proper use by citizens, zero waste, water regeneration, and combatting microplastics in the sea. Raising awareness, promoting volunteering, and collaborating with other institutions, social entities, and the private sector are also essential. Managing Posidonia along the coastline is also a priority.

A Smart Tourist Destination (DTI) management system has been implemented to handle blue tourism information. It collects data to understand and analyse visitor behaviours, assess the potential evolution of tourism activities from the tourism supply side and the demand side, as well as market trends. A 2022 protocol is 85 percent implemented, with a budget of 4 million euros, funded 60 percent by Next Generation funds and 40 percent by the Town Hall.

Commitment to Blue Tourism

Blue tourism prioritises the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems while promoting the sustainable development of local communities. This strategy seeks to reduce the environmental impact of tourism and enhance the cultural and natural wealth of coastal destinations.

Key aspects of managing beaches and coastlines include aligning beach services with responsible tourism and ensuring the proper use by citizens; committing to zero waste and water regeneration; fighting against microplastics in the sea; raising awareness, promoting volunteering, and collaborating with other institutions, social entities, and the private sector; and managing Posidonia along the coastline. 

To manage the flows of information related to blue tourism, a management system (DTI – Smart Tourist Destination) has been designed and implemented in the city. This system collects data to understand and analyse visitor behaviours, assess the potential evolution of tourism activities from both the tourism supply side and the demand side, as well as market trends. A protocol signed in 2022 is 85 percent implemented, with a budget of 4 million euros, funded 60 percent by Next Generation funds and 40 percent by the Town Hall.