Wasteserv and the government of Malta have started distributing bins for organic waste and other recyclable waste to households across Malta and Gozo, in preparation for increased separated waste collection.

Environment Minister Jose Herrera explained that on 31 October, separate waste collection for the organic waste bag will commence, with such collection occurring three times a week.

Organic waste can be used to produce gas and also as fertilizer. If contaminated however, the waste would not produce good fertilizer, hence the importance of waste separation.

Currently a pilot project on the collection of the organic bag is ongoing.

The minister explained that 150,000 of the food waste bins will be distributed around the islands – given that some areas already have such collection already. 170,000 of the other bins will also be sent to all households.  The other bins are for mixed recyclables, glass, sanitary waste and other waste.

The minister also announced the launch of a ‘sort it out’ campaign, to inform and educate the public on waste separation.

The white organic bag serves to recycle the following waste: cooked and raw food including bones, bread and pasta, peels, tea bags and grinded coffee, napkins and soiled paper.

The green/grey recyclable bag serves to collect foil trays, caps and lids, clean boxes, plastic bags, paper, plastic bottles, metal cans, soap bottles, cartons, and aerosol sprays.

The black bag serves to collect polystyrene, ceramics and nappies.

Recycling and the separation of waste, the Minister told this newsroom, is going to become obligatory, and the legal notices are being drafted, expected to come into force in the coming months. “While introducing the schemes we will also have the right legislative infrastructure to enforce. We don’t intend to impose this procedure with a whip but if people don’t obey the law we need to enforce. We have launched an informational campaign to explain the importance of separating waste and to educate.”