Last month’s statistics confirm that whereas 15,000 kilos of paper were handled from these sites in November, this increased to 39,040 kilos in June. Plastic rose from 4,240 to 12,780 kilos; cans from 2,540 to 6,300 kilos and glass from 6,660 to 15,660 kilos during the same months. The use of bring-in-sites is the first step to successful recycling. All material deposited in the bring-in-sites is collected separately and further treated at the Sant Antnin Waste Treatment Plant on their way to successfully being recycled.

To complement this encouraging public participation WasteServ is doing its utmost to ensure that the whole process, from collection at the bring-in-site to deposit at Sant Antnin and eventually recycling, is as smooth as possible. In fact vehicles collecting recyclable materials from the bring-in sites are monitored closely using the Datatrak system. This has helped to continuously keep an eye on vehicle movements. Spot checks are also carried out regularly on the vehicles, to ensure that the WasteServ contractor does not default.

Furthermore, since material is sorted out manually at Sant Antnin, mixing of waste will be evident and will immediately be reported to the main contractor. To date all inspections have shown there has been no evidence that vehicles offering services to WasteServ have remixed the waste which householders have responsibly and eagerly separated. Genuine efforts by householders to separate waste will be safeguarded.

In case of any suspicion of waste from bring-in-sites being mixed, the general public is encouraged to call free on 8007-2200 and to note the vehicle number. The public is also asked to differentiate between the collection of glass, metal, plastic or paper as opposed to the garbage dumped next to the bring-in site. This garbage is collected mixed, separate from the recyclable fractions, to be disposed of accordingly.

WasteServ’s effort to encourage a waste separation culture is being enhanced through various educational campaigns and programmes. In fact it is presently coordinating and financing a children’s educational programme on TVM entitled Skart Raiders. This programme seeks to encourage children and parents to undertake environmental initiatives.

Investing in sustainable waste management is a top priority for WasteServ. Waste separation needs the concerted effort of all; it needs the efficiency and hard work of a dedicated labour force, the enthusiasm of the educated householder as well as the reliability and genuine intent of those who have the means to communicate.