Tourism Waste Management: Fostering Employment and a Circular Economy

A government grant scheme to promote inclusive recycling and a circular economy on the islands

What does it consist of?

The scheme, with €1.5 million of funding, supports private entities and third sector organisations that manage waste generated by tourism. The aim is to promote circular economy principles and create jobs for people in vulnerable situations.

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Data

PROJECT TITLE IN THE CALL
Boosting the social and circular economy. Sustainable management of tourist waste and the creation of jobs for people at risk of exclusion
LOCATION
Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza, Formentera
Entity submitting the PROJECT
Govern de les Illes Balears
Entity that executes the project
Direcció General de Residus i Educació Ambiental
Project code
ITS2019-020
Total project amount
1.500.000 €
ITS granted amount
1.500.000 €
Executed amount
652.545 €
Call year
2019
Budget implementation status
Executed
Purpose
Environment
Budget execution
Executed: 43.5%
Last updated
13.03.2026

The project

With a view to the green transition and social justice, the Balearic Government is promoting a scheme focused on the circular economy with two goals in mind: to reduce tourism waste and to create job opportunities for people at risk of exclusion. The initiative, funded by sustainable tourism tax, is being implemented in Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

The scheme channels financial support to non-governmental and non-profit organisations working on the reuse, recycling and reprocessing of waste. This aid seeks to incorporate waste and recycling materials into new production processes, thus closing the loop while also promoting the recruitment of people who have particular difficulties in accessing employment.

This initiative is not exactly new. In 2017, the first arm of the scheme gave support to 13 projects, which dealt with more than 6,000 tonnes of waste and created more than 60 jobs. Now, with a total investment of €1.5 million, the current line of aid aims to reinforce this positive impact, in terms of both the environment and society.

As such, the sustainable management of waste generated by tourism is an opportunity to transform the economic model. Not only does this promote less dependence on totally raw materials, but it also creates decent jobs linked to the green economy. In short, it’s a circular approach that benefits the environment, society and the economy.