Malta and Gozo have a waste problem. The solutions lie in further moves towards a circular economy and listening to the expertise out there just waiting to be consulted. The recent news that even after sorting our waste, that it is going to be simply dumped at Magħtab was of course disappointing - as is the news that more virgin land is likely to be expropriated for a landfill extension.
The burning down of the Sant’Antnin waste plant has of course had challenging consequences, and we must now scramble to adapt accordingly. I do not doubt the good will of Minister Aaron Farrugia, and the correct way to address disagreements with the authorities is not to heckle, belittle or attack them when they mean well. In a democracy, disagreement should merely be the initial step in a discussion that leads to new solutions.
The following recommendations on arranging the waste problem in Malta and Gozo come from a foremost authority in Europe, based in Malta. It is clear that there is insufficient sorting capacity on the island and there is no composting plant. The next step should be the construction of a composting plant which has the capacity to treat all of the separately collected food waste.
It takes 6 weeks for each batch to be processed and it can then be applied directly to arable land - helping our farmers. Our soil is in desperate need of this organic matter. Amidst a discussion on the survival of farming in Malta, it is clear that we would be hitting two birds with one stone. Adding compost to the land will furthermore help us survive drought as it acts like a sponge for water.
As we can see we are currently experiencing a rain shortage after a disastrous storm last year - we are experiencing extremes of weather when our farmers are already under strain, and climate change will only make this worse. Furthermore, removing food waste from Magħtab will prevent methane from building up on site and leachate which picks up any other toxins in the waste and raises the temperature of the waste to 80C also causing a slow burn.
We should be further investing in sorting capacity, and not in further landfill capacity. For the further sake of a circular economy, we should create a centre for the repair and re-use of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and the repairs of textiles and furniture. It is unforgivable considering the problems we face in the world today that we simply throw away products which are damaged or broken for the sake of further consumerism and laziness.
Back in the day, things were repaired and lasted a lot longer. The ultimate goal is to close the landfill as soon as possible. This can be accompanied by a small capacity incinerator - but not the major incineration project previously envisaged. All of the above could reduce landfill use to around 10% of its current figure, allowing Magħtab to be rehabilitated.
The construction of a large incinerator instead of a move towards a circular economy would merely allow people to put money in their pockets, but would not provide the best possible solution to the country's waste problem. We deserve the best of the best, not to be shortchanged and denied the possibility of a system that works for everyone, instead of a few businessmen. I have faith that if NGOs and our authorities collaborate and engage in sustained dialogue, that solutions will be found to the benefit of everybody. I believe the good will is there - now it is a question of communication.