Emma Hickey, a Maltese participant of the European Week for Waste Reduction held in Malta in November last year has been selected for the Finals of the European Awards for Waste Reduction taking place in Budapest this May.
This was announced by the chairman of WasteServ, David Borg, who added: "The annual Malta Waste Reduction Awards was introduced by WasteServ last year as an event to recognise the most outstanding initiatives carried out in each EWWR edition. 2014 was the sixth consecutive year in which Malta took part in the European Week and a record year for Malta, with 86 initiatives involving 66 entities. On the European front, waste reduction week was also a great success, with around 12,000 actions implemented all around Europe."
The local initiatives were grouped under 7 different categories, with awards going to:
Emma Hickey, Citizens Category
Genista Research Foundation, Association Category
V.G.Tiles Co Ltd, Business Category
St Francis Primary School in Cospicua, Schools Category
Sliema local Council, Public Entities Category
Le Meridien St Julians & Spa, the Food Waste Reduction category
The Bakery Shop, the Recycling category
Addressing the guests Minister Leo Brincat said that, "irrespective of the pace with which the economy and technology advances, waste reduction and minimisation remains the biggest environmental challenge for us all. A challenge that is far bigger than waste disposal".
He added that the countries that have succeeded most in the waste management sector have been those that have successfully decoupled economic growth and waste generation levels. This thinking will be at the heart of the local waste management education campaign, a process that has now been approved and that will get underway imminently. Bearing in mind that the waste sector has a direct impact on both the green economy and climate change one should understand our impetus on finalising our green jobs strategy and action plan as well as the push to see the Climate Change draft bill approved by Parliament when it reconvenes formally within days.
The minister acknowledged the EU Commission's repositioning on the Circular Economy so much so, that it will be reformatted and presented in an even more circular manner later this year. It's promised country specific focus is also most welcome. Since it is consistent with the official policy line adopted by the Maltese government under both Commissions. He promised extensive stakeholder consultation once the draft proposals of the EU are published by the Commission.
Ira Losco recently named Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Development said that "the 2014 theme of 'Food Waste Reduction' is extremely intriguing, as more often than not we underestimate the impact and importance of food wastage. Reducing food waste is also an ethical issue, especially when one considers the number of countries that have water and food shortage problems. There are also other considerations, such as the water wastage whilst watering crops and the impact that production and transportation of food have on the environment" this was expressed while addressing the guests during the annual Malta Waste Reduction Award 2014 ceremony which was held at the Oracle Conference Centre at the Dolmen Hotel in Qawra.
"I would like to congratulate not only the winners but also all the participants for their commitment, as they have led by example" added Ms Losco.