For WasteServ, seeing more bring-in sites installed around the Maltese islands for the use of the general public has been very encouraging. The positive contribution from the Maltese public shows the newly found enthusiasm and awareness for waste separation and waste management issues. From the original 70 bring-in sites installed around Malta and Gozo, there has been an increase to over 200, and WasteServ is currently processing applications to have permits issued for more new sites.

Further to these bring-in sites, WasteServ is also maintaining its educational campaign by introducing bring-in sites at schools. This scholastic year, WasteServ shall have 718 bins operational and maintained at 195 government, Church and private schools.

According to WasteServ CEO Ing. Vince Magri, “WasteServ has spent over Lm168,000 from EU funds to introduce and establish the bring-in sites around Malta and Gozo, and over the past three years, the public has been able to deposit clean, source-segregated recyclable materials in these bins”.

The public has become increasingly aware of the need for waste management and the figures are extremely encouraging. Last year, for example, 26 per cent more waste was deposited at bring-in sites than in 2005. In all, in 2006, 1,084,764kgs of paper, 352,390kgs of plastic, 185,340kgs of metal and 632,750kgs of glass were deposited. Each article that is collected from the bring-in sites has endless recycling possibilities; paper is pulped and turned back into paper or shredded for use as animal bedding, plastic becomes useful items such as pens, and glass and metal can be reused both locally or sent abroad for further recycling treatment.

Ing. Magri explained that “by separating and recycling waste, fewer products and consumables are produced with natural resources, saving raw materials, reducing energy consumption and above all, less goes into our engineered landfills. It is therefore vital, and in each individual’s interest, to contribute towards recycling the most waste possible. However, in 2006, for the first time Malta has actually deposited less municipal solid waste at the landfill than on the previous year. When one considers that there is a three per cent annual increase in waste generation, one appreciates the positive return of the Maltese initiatives and public participation in the reduction and separation of waste”.

Waste deposited in bring-in sites is collected separately by a contractor and is usually sent to the Sant’Antnin waste treatment plant for further sorting. Each fraction (plastic, paper, metal and glass) is collected separately and only one type of container is lifted and emptied into each truckload. These trucks are monitored through a data track system, which allows WasteServ to monitor where trucks are in order to ensure that the waste from the bring-in sites remains separated and is actually delivered to our site for sorting. Currently, due to the upgrading works that are taking place at Sant’Antnin, waste is being separated temporarily at WasteServ facilities in Marsa. From there, however, this process is expected to return to Sant’Antnin by the beginning of next year, once the upgraded plant is ready, the modern and mechanical plant will perform the manual sorting of the separated waste before going for recycling.

What happens to waste deposited in bring-in sites?

Each bring-in site consists of four containers: blue for plastic, white for paper, brown for glass and black for metal. Here is a short description for each fraction:

1. Plastic

After being collected separately from the bring-in sites, the plastic that is fit for recycling is sorted at the waste treatment facility. It is then sent to different companies that process, shred and bale such materials and export them to be used as secondary raw materials in the plastics production. Synthetic carpets, plastic chairs, containers, garden furniture and stationary are among the objects that can be made from recycled plastic.

What to put in the plastic (blue) container: Clean containers for shower gels, shampoos, liquid soaps, detergents, cosmetic articles and cleaning agents; cups and tubs for yoghurts and margarine (only if emptied and clean), drinking bottles such as PET bottles, clean plastic bags, plastic caps, lids and covers.

What not to put in the plastic (blues) container: Wrappers and containers contaminated with food, bottles still containing materials such as cleaning agents, cosmetics, etc., used cling film, bulky plastic items and lighters.

Tip 1: Squeeze bottles to save space in the containers.

Tip 2: All recyclable material should be clean.

2. Paper

Paper is collected separately by a truck and is taken to the waste treatment plant, where it is weighted and then further sorted manually. White paper, for example, is separated from glossy and coloured paper. This sorting is done because different kinds of materials are used for different uses and thus they are sent to different companies for recycling. Further sorting is required in order to ensure that there is no contamination of materials.

Different types of paper, such as glossy paper, newspaper, white paper and cardboard are being exported for recycling. Paper which cannot be recycled into recyclable paper is used for composting, and some of the corrugated cardboard is being shredded for animal bedding.

What to put in the paper (white) container: Letter writing paper, office paper, printed paper and photocopies, envelopes, newspapers, magazines, catalogues, directories, cardboard boxes, brochures, exercise books and wrapping paper.

What not to put in the paper (white) container: Tissues, napkins, wet wipes, nappies, cellophane, adhesive tape, labels, stickers, waxed paper, milk cartons, used paper cups and plates and juice cartons.

Tip 1: In order to save space, fold boxes before putting them in the container.

Tip 2: Do not tear paper in small pieces. Waste paper is sorted before it is recovered and small pieces make sorting more difficult.

Tip 3: When possible remove paper clips, staples and plastic from the paper.

3. Glass

New glass containers can be produced from waste glass without any loss of quality. Locally, glass has also been used in tiles and also in concrete mixture replacing some of our natural minerals excavated for this use. Recently we had tests carried out by ADT and they have confirmed the positive use of this ‘waste’ material in the local Road Construction works. The use of waste glass saves resources and cuts the energy required in production of glass by about 50%.

What to put in the glass (brown) container: preserving jars, containers, and water, wine and spirit glass bottles.

What not to put in the glass (brown) container: china, corks, lamps, light bulbs, mirrors, window panes, drinking glasses, ceramics, lenses and thermometers.

Tip 1: Remove beer caps, crown corks, screw tops, corks, and metal seals.

Tip 2: make use of schemes for returnable bottles or containers, e.g. soft drink bottles.

4. Metal

All metal items have a positive market and the collection of these fractions is very active in our country. The material in these bins is sorted and fractions are forwarded for shredding and export. In the case of the aluminium cans, our local recyclers melt the material to form ingots before exported for re-use. In the case of tins containers collected from bring-in sites, these are separated and baled in order to increase density and be more efficient to export to other European countries.

What to put in the metal (black) container: aluminium cans, clean tin cans, metal caps and lids from jars and bottles, empty spray cans.

What not to put in the metal (black) container: bulky metal waste, batteries, soiled foil, food cans that are not empty, and paint and oils cans that are not completely empty.

Tip 1: Only dispose of empty packaging and small metal items into the collection containers of the bring-in sites.

Tip 2: Ensure that the cans are empty and if possible clean.

One last note concerning all bins: it is extremely important not to leave waste outside the containers of the bring-in sites.

Article provided by WasteServ. More information on issues of household waste separation can also be obtained by logging on to www.wasteservmalta.com under the Waste Separation section, or by phoning the WasteServ FREEPHONE 8007-2200.