WasteServ Malta has announced the signing of the contract for the rehabilitation of the closed, formerly uncontrolled Malta landfills, which was awarded to Messrs JV Haase (Germany) / Vassallo Group (Malta).

The contract for the engineering work of the whole project has been awarded to Messrs Scott Wilson Plc of the United Kingdom.

The project involves the control of aerial emissions and initial rehabilitation of the three landfill sites, Maghtab, Qortin and Wied Fulija. WasteServ Malta obtained €8.4 million from the European Regional and Development Fund for the financing of this project.

This rehabilitation project is of fundamental importance since the solid waste disposal sites were developed at a time when the full environmental impacts of such operations were not known, therefore there was no system in place for the proper control of emissions.

The latest technologies are now to be introduced in order to minimise odours and treat any harmful components in the gas resulting from the internal combustion in the mass waste materials. The technology being applied is to gather the gases before they are released into the atmosphere. This project seeks to raise the environmental standards associated with past practices of waste management in Malta, in line with the Solid Waste Management Strategy for the Maltese Islands (October 2001) and also contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions in our country.

Prior to the starting the work resulting from the awarding of the tender, the closed landfills are being prepared in order to achieve stability of the site. This part of project, known as the Enabling Work, is fully funded by the Maltese government and has been entrusted to Messrs Bonnici Brothers Ltd, both for the sites in Malta and that in Gozo.

This project is to introduce the latest treatment technologies in order to minimise any ensuing negative environmental impacts. It will also ensure that the process of returning these sites to beneficial use will be accelerated. Consequently, there will be a considerable improvement in the environmental standards over past practices of waste management in Malta. Once it is considered safe, the sites will be fully rehabilitated. This would involve recontouring of the site and the placement of soil and landscape planting.