The latest results showing the amount of waste being disposed of at bring-in sites are encouraging and demonstrate the fact that social responsibility in this regard is ever-increasing, said a spokesperson from the Environment Ministry yesterday.
WasteServ Malta’s campaigns and efforts to educate the public are paying off, since the amount of waste that people separate has been increasing consistently over the past four years since the bring-in sites were introduced.
The fact that there is at least one bring-in site in every locality is facilitating the process, which coupled with an increasing awareness and more civic pride, is giving good results, said the ministry spokesperson.
To date, a total of 154 bring-in sites are littered across Malta and Gozo, but Wasteserv plans to have a bring-in site for every 350 households. The ministry spokesperson said ongoing discussions and extensive consultation meetings are being held in order to introduce the bring-in sites that are co-financed by the EU.
The ministry has also expressed satisfaction over the fact that the first civic amenity site that was recently opened at Maghtab was received positively.
“The feedback was excellent, with 200 tonnes of waste having been collected at the site between November 2006 and the first month of this year,” said the spokesperson.
Household waste may be disposed of for free at the civic amenity site, while nominal fees are charged for commercial waste. The ministry spokesperson said the second civic amenity site in Mriehel is due to open soon, while another three will be opened in Hal Far, Luqa and Tal-Kus in Xewkija, Gozo.
While stressing the importance of more facilities for the recycling and treatment of waste, the spokesperson said an increasing public awareness is also coupled by the new culture that waste be considered to be a resource.
Companies actually recycle waste and treat it themselves and this is showing the beginning of an industry in itself.
The amount of waste disposed of in landfills was 400 tonnes less than that disposed of during the previous year, so the opening of the other civic amenity sites will further contribute to the amount of landfill waste decreasing further over the coming years.
Further information may be obtained from www.wasteservmalta.com.
2005 2006
Paper 892035kg 1084764kg
Plastic 266140kg 352390kg
Metal 135480kg 185340kg
Glass 494770kg 632750kg