European Commission criticism of Malta with regards to waste management confirms that the present recycling system is failing.

If no real action is taken, the end result will be the building of more incinerators across the country.

The current system applied by the private sector to collect waste generated through packaging is a positive measure. But it remains a fact that a big part of the problem for the amount of waste generated is linked to the commercial sector, which is the biggest leading producer of waste.

The present system is unsustainable, as millions of plastic, tin and glass containers are placed on the market, and a substantial part of these is not collected by the same business sector. The government should directly regulate this sector.

On the other hand, the incentive schemes to encourage consumers to dispose of waste sustainably are weak. We appeal to the authorities to seriously implement a national plan to introduce incentives to reward change.

The authorities must consider schemes applied in other countries, such as where aluminium beverage cans (52 billion are produced per year in Europe) are collected in specific vending machines, where the consumers are compensated for the amount of cans deposited. Aluminium is one of the easiest materials to recycle profitably. We insist that this scheme should be the responsibility of the commercial sector.

The authorities together with the local councils should re-introduce the scheme that provides families with free recycling bags. Incentives should also be applied to promote more the system of ‘refill’, when selling liquid soaps, laundry, and detergent etc. These are all measures that can be introduced and operated easily.

■ Richard Mifsud

Żminijietna – Voice of the Left