Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection and Valletta 2018 Deo Debattista told The Malta Independent that changes to the way garbage is collected in Valletta are in the pipeline, following many complaints and articles in the press on the issue.

Recently, reports read that domestic waste collection in Valletta costs more than five times the national average, and that rubbish was being left on the streets by restaurateurs. Previously, V18 Chairman Jason Micallef had hit out against the situation in Valletta. “It cannot be that rubbish from restaurants etc is picked up during times when Valletta is alive and kicking. I’m talking about 1pm, 6pm, 7pm, etc. This needs a collective effort. The Malta Tourism Authority needs to get into this and sort this mess. This is a complete mess and it is not acceptable.” There had also been complaints about rubbish being left on street corners.

Asked about the garbage collection situation, Debattista said that government has met with the GRTU a number of times, as well as with the local council, and “they are all on board. The garbage collection system and the system of keeping Valletta clean will change.” He said that the GRTU represent companies which collect the rubbish as well as people who own restaurants.

“We will try to change the vehicle sizes to make them more city friendly,” he said. “Garbage collection times will also change and we are considering having two collection time slots. We are currently in discussions to make it more efficient with the least amount of disturbance for residents and for businesses. We are also discussing how garbage is collected.”

The Parliamentary Secretary explained that essentially, discussions are ongoing to regularise the situation. He stressed that he does not want garbage collected at all times, and “we are going to try and fix two time slots when garbage will be collected during the day. We would inform all those people involved to try and keep to those times.” He did not exclude more than two collection times, however hinted that in such situations, one would need specific permission through a by-law, which would require a special permit and as such a fee. This, he said, would discourage rubbish collection outside the agreed upon time slots.

The minister said that the actual time slots are still being discussed, and he wants everything implemented as quickly as possible, before V18.

Debattista mentioned that, after these issues are sorted out, the situation would be enforced. The enforcement, he said, would see fines when there are breaches. Enforcement on current illegalities are done through the police force, he explained. He said that they found cooperation with the police corps and they are providing officers, during their overtime work and not their normal hours, to conduct such enforcement.

“At the end of the day, we need a good product, and after all the preparation for V18, we cannot have a large amount of rubbish which is an eyesore.”