Environment Minister Leo Brincat and Gozo Minister Anton Refalo both expressed their satisfaction at the rehabilitation of the disused Qortin landfill in Xagħra, which had received Gozo's waste between 1968 and its closure in 2004.

In a site visit, Mr Brincat said that the closure of the landfill was only the first step in a process whose culmination was finally being reached.

A development permit for the rehabilitation of the landfill was approved in 2010, and the rehabilitation has been carried out with the use of EU funds.

Mr Brincat said that the project was an achievement for WasteServ, stating that without its determination, the project would have dragged on far longer.

"When we recall that domestic and commercial waste ended up in this landfill together with industrial waste, construction waste and even hazardous waste, we have a clear example of how environmental health became the ultimate winner today," the minister said.

He also emphasised the scale of the project, noting that the site covered an area of five hectares and had received over 500,000 tonnes of waste over the years.

On his part, Dr Refalo focused on WasteServ's work in Gozo, highlighting the development of the Gozo Waste Treatment and Transfer Facility at tal-Kus, limits of Xewkija, as well as the rehabilitation of the landfill.

"The abandoned Qortin landfill has been completely transformed and regenerated," WasteServ chairman David Borg said, pointing out that the company initiated the project to improve controls on gas emissions and reduce the production of leachate which was causing environmental concerns.