The total generation of plastic waste in 2016, (excluding plastic that was disposed of together with other materials), totaled 8.714 tonnes – an increase of 108.2 per cent when compared to 2015, according to a report published yesterday by the National Statistics Office. 

According to the report, published in light of World Environment Day today, almost all the plastic was recycled, save 38.6 tonnes which was landfilled.

Charts within the report also showed that the amount of separate collection of plastics originating from households remains on the rise, from one thousand tonnes in 2010 to 4,934 tonnes in 2016. The most popular method for plastic waste separation was the grey/green bags.

Developed land increases by 11.4 per cent since 1990

The area of developed land has increased by 11.4 per cent in the past 28 years, the report said. In 1990, 67.7 km₂ (21.5 per cent) was the area affected by development. In 2015, the figure stood at 103.8 km₂ (32.9 per cent).

Quality of Malta’s bathing waters second best in Europe

The report also presented findings by the European Environment Agency, which, early last week, published its annual European bathing water quality report for 2017. The agency placed Malta’s bathing waters second amongst bathing sites across Europe.

The quality of Malta’s bathing waters stood at 98.9 per cent, second to Luxembourg, which registered a quality of 100 per cent.