How to Dispose of Garden Waste and Green Cuttings on Mallorca

Anyone with a garden on Mallorca knows the scene: after the spring pruning or a palm trimming session, a surprising pile of green cuttings sits on the property. Disposing of garden waste on Mallorca is not a big problem - as long as you know the rules. Burning it is banned in most cases, and dumping it by the roadside is even worse.

What Counts as Green Waste, and Why Is Burning Banned?

Green waste covers all plant-based garden refuse: grass clippings, branches, leaves, hedge trimmings, palm fronds and any other organic material that gardening produces. On Mallorca its disposal follows clear rules that many newcomers do not know at first.

Burning garden waste has been heavily restricted on the Balearic Islands for years. Outside of approved exceptions, open burning of green cuttings is banned year-round - and during the high-risk season from June to October an absolute outdoor fire ban applies. The reason is the high wildfire risk that makes headlines on Mallorca every year. Anyone who burns anyway risks substantial fines that can run to several thousand euros depending on the severity of the offense.

Punt Verd Recycling Centers: The Easiest Option

The most important drop-off point for green waste is the Punt Verd (green point) - the network of recycling centers run by the Consell de Mallorca. There are around 20 of these centers on the island, spread across all municipalities.

What you can drop off there:

• Grass clippings and leaves (bagged or loose)
• Branches and shrub trimmings (up to a certain diameter, depending on the center)
• Palm fronds and trunks (small quantities)
• Wood and tree cuttings

Drop-off is usually free for private households. You do not need an appointment, just occasionally proof that you live on Mallorca (an empadronamiento certificate or a water bill is usually enough). Opening hours vary but generally cover weekdays and Saturday mornings. You can find the exact locations and hours on the official website of the Consell de Mallorca.

Municipal Collection: Green Waste Picked Up at Your Door

Many municipalities on Mallorca run a separate green waste collection service. Especially in Palma and the larger towns there are fixed collection dates or the option to book a pickup.

This is how it typically works:

1. You register with the municipal works department (Brigada Municipal) or via the town hotline.
2. You put the green waste, bundled or bagged, in front of your property on the agreed day.
3. The collection service picks it up - free for households with up to about one cubic meter.

For larger volumes - say, after a full garden clear-out or after cutting back large trees - the municipal service is often not enough. In that case a private disposal company with containers or trucks is the better choice.

In Palma you can request the collection service through the city administration at palma.cat/residus.

For Larger Volumes: Professional Disposal

After renovating a finca or clearing an overgrown plot, you quickly end up with more green waste than the Punt Verd or the collection service can handle. In that case there are two options:

• Container service: A provider places an open container on your property, you fill it, and it gets hauled away. Costs range from 150 to 350 EUR per container depending on size.
• Garden service with disposal included: Many local gardeners (jardineros) offer package prices that combine cutting and disposal. That is often cheaper than doing it all yourself.

In the service provider directory on mallorca-plus.de you will find vetted garden service providers that include disposal.

Composting: The Sustainable Alternative

If you have a larger garden or a finca, composting is worth considering as a real alternative. Organic waste like grass clippings, leaves and small branches composts very well. That saves you the transport and produces high-quality fertilizer on top.

Is composting allowed on Mallorca? Yes, a compost bin (composta) on your own property is no problem and needs no permit. The Consell de Mallorca even promotes the purchase of compost bins - subsidized bins are sometimes distributed through the municipalities.

What composts well:

• Grass clippings and leaves
• Kitchen and vegetable scraps
• Small branches (ideally shredded)

What does not belong in the compost: palm fronds (they barely decompose), treated wood and diseased plants.

How much green waste does Mallorca produce each year? According to the Consell de Mallorca, around 70,000 tons of green and garden waste are handed in at the island's recycling centers annually - and the number keeps rising. That shows how relevant the topic is for residents.

What Applies to Palm Fronds

Palms are everywhere on Mallorca - and pruning them is labor-intensive. Palm fronds and trunks are hard to compost and decompose very slowly. For small quantities, the Punt Verd centers are the right address.

One special caution: for several years the red palm weevil (picudo rojo) has been spreading on Mallorca and infesting palms. Diseased palm material must not simply be thrown away - it has to be packed in sealed bags so the weevil cannot spread further. If in doubt, ask at the Punt Verd about the current requirements.

Is it allowed to dump palm fronds by the roadside? No. Dumping green waste in public places outside the official collection systems is an offense and is punished with fines.

Practical Tips for Everyday Life

• Plan bigger garden jobs outside the peak summer months (July and August) to make use of capacity at the Punt Verd and to keep the fire risk low.
• Shredders (trituradoras) can be rented on Mallorca - at hardware stores or garden equipment suppliers. Shredded material takes up less space and is easier to transport or compost.
• For waste separation in general, Mallorca has a well-developed system. Our guide to waste separation on Mallorca explains recycling and which bin is which.
• If you live in an urbanización with a comunidad de propietarios, check the house rules - sometimes there are community arrangements for green waste or even a collection service organized by the administrator. You can read more about rights and duties in a comunidad in our guide to property management and the comunidad.

Conclusion

Disposing of garden waste on Mallorca is straightforward - once you know the right channels. For most households the nearest Punt Verd and the municipal collection service are all you need. Burning is not an option and can get expensive. If you regularly produce a lot of green cuttings, a compost bin or a local garden service is the most practical solution. Use the summer for planned trips to the recycling center - in high season the centers are busy but usually reliably open.