The Government creates the Waste Commission of the Balearic Islands

The Governing Council of the Balearic Islands has approved Decree 28/2026, of August 28, which regulates the organization and operation of the Waste Commission of the Balearic Islands (CRIB). The regulation, published in the Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands (BOIB) no. 109, of September 1, 2026, provides the regulatory implementation of article 21 of Law 8/2019, of February 19, on waste and contaminated soils of the Balearic Islands, and enters into force the day after its publication.

The CRIB is established as a collegiate body of a consultative and participatory nature, attached to the department competent in waste matters, with the mission of ensuring the effective coordination of waste planning and management among the different public administrations. The decree, promoted upon the proposal of the Minister of Business, Freelancers and Energy, Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro García, and signed by President Margarita Prohens Rigo, is part of the regional strategy to turn waste into resources and advance towards a circular economy, in line with the European Waste Framework Directive (EU) 2018/851.

Functions of the Commission

In accordance with article 21.5 of Law 8/2019, the CRIB exercises a set of functions oriented towards waste planning and management:

• Participate in the procedures for drafting waste planning instruments.
• Propose and establish guidelines for the drafting of these instruments, including objectives, contents, management policies, and processing schedules.
• Formulate recommendations and proposals to the competent bodies in matters of planning and management.
• Promote the preparation of studies on waste planning and management.
• Review compliance with objectives and monitoring indicators for the fulfillment of European directives.

Composition and Territorial Representation

The presidency of the CRIB is held by the head of the general directorate competent in waste matters, who holds a casting vote in the event of a tie. The memberships ensure representation of the entire territory and local entities:

• One civil servant attached to the general directorate competent in waste.
• One person designated by each of the island councils of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera.
• One person designated by the Palma City Council.
• One person designated by the Federation of Local Entities of the Balearic Islands (FELIB).

Each membership must be accompanied by the designation of substitute persons, and representatives may attend accompanied by a technician as a guest. Entities have a maximum period of one month from the entry into force to propose the appointment of members and substitutes.

Operating Regime

The CRIB must hold at least two ordinary sessions annually, in addition to the extraordinary sessions convened by the presidency, either on its own initiative or at the request of one-third of the members. Sessions may be held in person or remotely, using electronic means such as email, audio conferencing, or video conferencing. The notice must be sent at least 72 hours in advance (24 hours in urgent cases), and the body is considered validly constituted with the presidency, the secretary, and half of the members, or one-third in the second call. The approved minutes will be published on the Waste Service website (residus.caib.es) to ensure transparency.

Impact for companies and administrations

Although the CRIB agreements are not binding, the competent bodies in matters of waste planning and management must take them into account and consider them. The implementation of this coordination body represents a step forward for the sustainable management of waste in the archipelago, with direct implications for companies in the sector, island councils, and city councils, which will have a common space to align their policies with European recycling and waste reduction objectives.

Source: Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands, no. 109, September 1, 2026, Section I. General Provisions, p. 47241 (official reference: Decree 28/2026, no. 8761).