Between May 2003 and September 2007, almost six million tonnes of construction waste have been disposed of in various quarries across the island through the contract operated by WasteServ.

The Maghtab dump site has not been accepting inert waste since July 2003, and a five-year contract was awarded to a private contractor for the rehabilitation of quarries with clean construction material.

This measure to dispose of this uncontaminated construction material in unused quarries, has proved to be pro-environmental in many ways. By filling these quarries with material similar to that originally extracted, one is lowering the risk of contamination of the water table through other uses, since many of these quarries have their lower levels very close to the water table.

WasteServ’s CEO, Ing. Vince Magri, said: “this method really hits many birds with one stone. These quarries have been an eyesore for years, and thus they are finally being rehabilitated into fields for agricultural use. Also, we found a solution by “storing” this inert excavation material which is not really waste, but a clean inert mineral which locally is considered as waste just because we have too much of it for our needs”.

There are three quarries currently in use by contractors which are registered with WasteServ, and these are located at Lapsi, Dingli and Qrendi. Other quarries are also being operated by the private sector. Individuals who wish to dispose of clean construction material at the quarries are requested to phone on WasteServ Freephone number 8007-2200.

More information about WasteServ can be obtained by visiting website www. wasteservmalta.com