It has to happen sooner or later. Waste separation at source is an issue that keeps cropping up every now and again, only for it to be shelved due to various difficulties that arise.

The latest shelving came about as a result of local councils demanding a slice of the pie to boost their coffers by taking over management of the issue. We will not delve into the specifics, but perhaps it is time to take a long, hard look at things.

Malta has received several warnings from the European Commission on subjects ranging from hunting, car registration tax and many others. Sooner or later, one can bet his last euro on the fact that the EC will be issuing directives for Malta to conform to waste separation at source. We have an opportunity to implement a system which, by and large, seems to be a sound one whereby rubbish collectors will make an extra trip on Mondays in Gozo and on Tuesdays in Malta to collect recyclable waste from your doorstep. Even the bags are free.

If one were to take a look around Europe, one would find that not only does one have to pay for the transport of recyclables, but also for non-recyclable waste disposal. Not only that, but sometimes the trips are only effected once or twice a week – we really have had it good. This is not an issue of politics; as far back as most can remember, Maltese citizens have had their waste collected daily from their doorstep free of charge.

As soon as the idea of waste separation at source was voiced, we did our usual rant and rave, “how many bags do you expect me to keep at home?”, “do you think I’m going to wait about at home for the rubbish truck?”, and many other such issues.

We ask people to take a look at our society. Can anyone remember when seatbelts were made mandatory? Many swore that come hell or high water, they would not be abiding by the law. Result: one of the highest seatbelt legislation compliance rates in the world.

Can anyone remember the palaver that ensued once it was announced that the euro was to become legal tender? Result: a seamless switch from lira to euro without the slightest bit of moaning.

What are we getting at? We moan and groan and swear not to comply with things, when in reality, we are a really flexible and adaptable people that can pretty much do anything when we put our minds to it. The government is proposing to make use of the Marsascala recycling plant to reduce our carbon footprint, and we, basically, cannot get to full capacity because we do not have waste separation at source.

The situation is at a stalemate because of financial demands by the local councils. The government understandably has a bit of a hot-potato on its hands because the collectors say they cannot make ends meet while the councils are demanding that they get a slice of the revenue to boost their coffers.

One way or another, get it sorted (excuse the pun). As we have mentioned, the EC will inevitably issue a directive on waste separation. Do we really want another rap on the knuckles when we can so easily avoid it? Something has got to give, and sooner rather than later. The issue must be resolved equitably, and the collectors must be treated fairly. Above all, the public must change its mentality and make use of this service that will eventually be mandatory.