In addition to the article entitled “Island of smells” (TMIS, 23 August), WasteServ Malta Ltd would like to add some points of interest further to what was stated in the article.
It is common knowledge that during this dry season fields are replenished with organic material to enrich the soil-growing medium. Unfortunately, we have not yet reached a situation where the country has the necessary investment to also treat this waste fraction properly to avoid inconveniences, especially in areas with intense agricultural activity and which is close to residential areas.
The Nimby (Not In My Backyard) syndrome, however, has become so popular that complaints are constantly made without being given due thought. It is worth noting, for example, that WasteServ used to receive more complaints of foul smells produced by the Sant’Antnin Waste Treatment Plant during this dry period of the year, when fields were being enriched with this organic material. There was no way of convincing complainants that the Sant’Antnin plant was not generating this odour. It so happened however that these protests even extended to the period when the composting plant had already been dismantled and therefore no organic waste was being received in this area. This goes to show that one should exercise greater care and be more responsible before making general statements.
Regarding the Ghallis Engineered Landfill, WasteServ agrees that at present this facility is being filled with mixed waste coming from all parts of Malta and Gozo. We may have to cover more during these hot days, but the limited space we have must not be taken up with inert waste that could be safely deposited in closed quarries. The permanent solution for the elimination of this inconvenience would be the reduction of waste being deposited at Ghallis by providing treatment facilities for the various waste streams. The quantity of waste has already being reduced by the separation of dry recyclables, home composting, and initiatives to reduce waste generation. Once the Sant’Antnin plant, together with the plant planned for the north of Malta and the one in Gozo are commissioned, the quantity of organic waste being landfilled would be fast approaching “zero waste” status.
Furthermore, the waste deposited in the past 30 years at the Maghtab and Qortin landfills is still active and is continuously releasing various gases with some smells. These gases may not just cause the inconvenience of smells but could also present a health hazard. To avoid any health risk, an investment of over e8.4 million has been implemented on these two closed landfills. This installation, known as Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser (RTO), is also costing some e1 million per annum to operate. This is being done to capture the gases before they leave the surface of these large areas and are released into the atmosphere. At present, this plant captures 6,000 cubic metres of gases per hour to reduce the smells and toxic emissions.
We should be proud that we have all acknowledged that we have to change our waste management culture and that we are now implementing the solutions, even though these may be spread over a period of years in a pre-established programme. Our situation shall continue to improve with every facility that is commissioned. All of this should not however detract each and every one of us from further efforts to reduce and recycle.
Ing. Vince Magri
Chief Executive Officer
WasteServ Malta Ltd