Discontent grows over the filth in Palma's overflowing containers.

PalmWatermelon remains, furniture, clothing, cardboard boxes, and all kinds of waste frequently pile up outside overflowing containers in several Palma neighborhoods. The situation creates an image of urban neglect and has become one of the main complaints from residents, along with noise. "You go for a walk and find a whole heap of trash devouring the containers," laments a resident of the Paseo Marítim.

The general perception is that uncivil behavior is primarily responsible for the increase in litter. However, there are other influencing factors, such as overpopulation, tourism, a lack of containers, and the implementation of the selective collection system in surrounding towns.

The 431,521 inhabitants registered in Palma in 2024 generated 235,584 tons of waste, collected by Emaya from the more than 7,000 containers distributed throughout the city.

In Pere Garau, one of the neighborhoods that has grown the most in recent years—with around 10,000 new residents between 2001 and 2025, according to the neighborhood platform Flipau con Pere Garau—746 incidents related to incivility and unhealthiness have been recorded. According to a member of the organization, what has "been most worrying" in recent weeks are the organic waste containers, because they generate "an unbearable stench and are constant sources of filth."

In Son Roca, residents complain that manure accumulates outside the containers because residents of other neighborhoods or towns where door-to-door collection has been implemented bring it there. "Even construction companies come to dump their rubble. And then they tell each other that they dumped it here and they haven't had any problems, and yet more come," they lament.

The seafront promenade also suffers from the filth caused by street tourism and partygoers. However, some residents point out that "they make more of a mess for themselves than for the tourists." They also emphasize that the sidewalk facing the sea "is always dirty" because "it's not clear whether the responsibility for cleaning that area lies with the Port Authority or Emaya."

In the absence of institutional solutions, residents have opted to take action on their own. In Son Roca, they photograph the license plates of vehicles that dump waste outside the designated areas. "It's the only way for them to be safe," says a neighborhood resident. In Pere Garau, members of the neighborhood platform Flipau con Pere Garau took to the streets dressed in orange protective gear to clean areas around containers. The goal, they explain, was to put an end to the "calling effect" caused by the accumulation of manure. "When we cleaned everything, we saw that people left the manure properly," celebrates one of the participants. According to the president of the Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Palma, Maribel Alcázar, this problem is "widespread" in the city. However, citizens' assessment of Emaya's management varies depending on the neighborhood in which they live.

Residents of Pere Garau believe that, due to the overcrowding in the area, Emaya should install "more containers, send out the environmental inspectors they have to monitor and sanction uncivilized people, and do some social awareness work." They also allege that the public cleaning company does not comply with collection schedules and that the problem is not effectively controlled.

In contrast, residents of Son Roca and the Paseo Marítim believe that "Emaya fulfills its cleaning duties" and that the responsibility for the accumulation of manure lies with the public, "who are very ignorant."

ARA Baleares has contacted Palma City Council and Emaya to obtain an institutional assessment, but has not received a response.