As of the 31st October, 2018, only a few days more, all of us should start separating our left overs in a way that will ensure that any food remains will go to a separate bag. On its own this is a good move. However, I am really worried that such a move, in a compulsory way, is doomed to fail.

I, for one, have not received any information about the way this separation is going to be handled, and this though it is being expected that I adhere to the new method of collection, and if not, I may risk to get a ticket. For obvious reasons I am aware of what has to be done. However, pretending that people who have never separated a single paper from the rest of the rubbish, will start, a few days from now, separating in the correct way, is unrealistic.

We all know that localities vary in the way they live their daily life. We all know that the larger the locality the more difficult for control to take place. Everybody is aware (or at least should be aware) that drastic changes take rather long to be implemented in the correct way.

I am aware of the efforts that have taken place, over many years, for cleansing to take place regularly and in the correct way. Yet, I am also aware of the fact that there are always people who are ready to ignore their duties and keep disposing of their rubbish in the wrong way, and at the wrong times. However, in this case, there will be numerous ones who, not because they want to, but because no information has been disseminated, will not follow the new rules.

Here I will refer to what happens in St. Paul's Bay. This was the first locality to have the black bag rubbish collection on a seven day basis, from Monday to Sunday, and probably is the only locality that, to date, offers this service. This was introduced by the local council nearly ten years ago. The grey bag collection takes place on a twice weekly basis, and bulky refuse has for many years, been collected, free of charge, by the local council.

In spite of this, we are all aware of the fact that many still do not bother to follow their duty. Besides that, the pro government printed media did its very best to blame this on the local council. The Labour councillors, rather than doing their duty and support the council were also, quite often, prepared to attack the same council of which they formed part.

When the local council, more than three years ago, introduced a scheme through which plastic bottles were recycled, and a form of compensation was introduced, the labour councillors did their very best to ruin the scheme, and the Government intervened to stop the same scheme. The scheme had started to bear fruits. However with the excuse that the government was about to introduce a National scheme this local initiative was ruined. Three years later the famous National scheme has not yet been introduced!!! Now, in this year's budget speech there is a declaration that discussions will continue next year... a five year waste.

Now, we are told that as from the 31st October of this year collection of food remains will be done on a three times weekly basis, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. If I am understanding well, on these days, the normal rubbish collection will not be taking place.

This makes me ask the question: what will be happening to the 'normal', black bag rubbish? Are the authorities pretending that people will not put their bags out on these days? Are these same authorities pretending that those who never bothered to put their bags out at the established times, will now suddenly convert, and will start doing their duties in the correct way. Will we now be having pavements full of black bags for days on end?

Big bangs may sound attractive. However, changing habits is not that easy. This becomes even more complex in localities where people are coming and going on a regular basis, and where people change their residence according to whether they find a flat which is a few Euros cheaper to pay on a monthly rental basis.

Rather than having press conferences, and pretending people will simply obey, the Government should make sure that people are aware of what they are supposed to do. The same government should ensure that extra money is provided so that the extra collection of foodstuffs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday can be financed.

Otherwise... forget it