The site will have a capacity to store one year’s worth of waste generated in both Malta and Gozo. Environment Minister George Pullicino explained that there was no guarantee that the sites earmarked for use and interim land-fills would not be used.
“The necessary studies are underway. There is no guarantee that the sites in Qrendi and near Mnajdra will not be used,” he said. But if better solutions are found, they will be used instead. “Whatever happens, this temporary measure will allow government to keep its promise to stop dumping waste at the Maghtab and Qortin landfills by 1 May 2004,” he said.
Asked by this newspaper whether government had any contingency plan if the country generated more waste this year than the Ta’ Zwejra facility could handle, Mr Pullicino said: “The trend is that the amount of rubbish we generate each year is on the decrease. But if there is more waste, we should have an interim landfill up and running by that time.”
Mr Pullicino said that the Maghtab, Qortin and Wied Fulija landfills will be undergoing rehabilitation in the meantime. “We are also attempting to obtain structural funding for rehabilitating them,” he said. While no more rubbish would be dumped at any of the sites, trucks will still be seen. “Don’t forget that rubbish needs to be covered by inert construction waste at all of these sites,” he said.
Mr Pullicino explained that the temporary waste storage facility will continue to use the gas collection system already employed at Maghtab. “The best thing is that the gas collector, the weigh-bridges and other equipment previously used at Maghtab can be used at the temporary site,” he said. The temporary site will be lined by membranes and protective sheeting of various thickness. “It has all been tested to the strictest standards to ensure there is no seepage or leakage into the ground,” he said.
He described the initiative as a win-win situation. “We are also conducting gas emission tests, groundwater tests and sea water tests to ensure there is no pollution,” he said. Wasteserv’s Head of Strategy and Development Chris Ciantar said that waste can be stored at the temporary site for up to three years.
“That is all in conformity with EU directives. And once treated, the waste can be used as top-soil cover for Maghtab as part of the rehabilitation process. The remainder will then be transported to the permanent site at Ghallis,” he said.
The Ghallis long-term engineered landfill should be completed in 18 to 24 months’ time. Mr Pullicino said: “Unfortunately, every form of landfill has an impact on something else. If we can get 13 months’ usage out of this one instead of 12, of course we will.” During question time, he reiterated that government was examining all possibilities for temporary landfills. “I cannot give a guarantee that the Qrendi and Mnajdra sites will not be used, but if a better solution is found, we will go for that one,” he said.
Referring to the Qortin dump in Gozo, Dr Ciantar said the facility will also be phased out and shut down on 30 April. “All waste generated in Gozo will be transported to Malta’s temporary site as well as the San Antnin recycling plant,” said Dr Ciantar.
The waste will be transported to Malta in the evening by Gozo Channel Company and will be carried by three special refuse collection vehicles. Last month, Wasteserv conducted a number of trials and transported over 23.5 tons of waste to Malta. These tests were successfully completed and helped to ensure the feasibility of the project.
Curious fact
Every baby in Malta goes through a ton of nappies in a year. Given that most need them for two years, this means two tons of nappies per baby. Multiply that by the total number of babies in Malta and Gozo and you might get an idea of the scale of rubbish we create. Government is encouraging a locally operating company that is experimenting with recycling of the nappies.