A substantial fund has been dedicated to an innovative scheme for local councils to come up with improved and innovative means of managing waste for their communities.

This was announced during a press conference held at the Local Government Building where Minister of National Heritage, Arts and Local Government Jose Herrera explained how the scheme will improve both the environment of each locality and quality of life of their residents.

Herrera said that the scheme is set out to help local councils come up with innovative ideas and projects to help with managing waste in their locality. “This scheme will be providing each and every local council the chance to address the issues they are facing when it comes to waste management and a means to provide a solution.”

Both central government and local government take the management of waste seriously and the scheme is to highlight the priority of managing waste, he said.

“Each individual has the responsibility to take care of their environment and management of waste. Local government takes a huge responsibility in the management of waste and also provides sites for waste,” said Herrera.

He explained that local councils can come up with innovative ideas which if are sustainable and possible, will be funded to set up the project to help maintain waste management. He said that each locality is different, noting how Valletta sees many tourists, whilst St Paul’s Bay has seen a growth in residents and catering businesses, which all generate different types of waste.

“Each locality has a different and particular problems when it comes to waste, so that is why such a scheme will help, as it provides councils the opportunity to see what solutions they can come up with to tackle these issues.”

He said that the emphasis of the project is to improve the environment, which will provide a better quality of life for the communities.