There is a solution to the waste problem, we were told. “Freeze your waste” and there will be no bad odours in the house.

This was said by the CEO of Wasteserv, Richard Bilocca, during a television programme earlier this week. He did not say “idiot”. We added that word in the headline ourselves. But the implication was clear enough.

It was as if we were being told “Why all the fuss? There is a simple way to resolve the situation. Just put your organic waste in the freezer and then, when the time comes for its collection, take it out and put it on the pavement”.

Since this famous quote, the social media has been inundated with comments, and most of the people sharing their views have thought that Bilocca’s words were patronising, insulting and arrogant. Some even went as far as calling for his resignation.

Well, people who were responsible for worse actions and quotes have remained in their place, and it is therefore unlikely that the CEO will quit. But, yes, what he said was offensive.

It meant that the head of the company responsible for waste collection services was belittling the issue which has been plaguing the country for the past months. We have always been a dirty, undisciplined and irresponsible nation – collectively speaking, that is. Most keep their home in ship-shape condition, and clean it up regularly, but it is evident that many believe that what is public is not ours, and that we are free to dump items we no longer want or need in open areas. How many times have we seen mattresses and sofas abandoned on a pavement when, we all know, there is a bulky refuse service?

But the domestic waste problem has increased of late, mostly as a result of a huge surge in population. It is a sorry site to see, day in day out, pavements blocked by waste bags of whatever colour (depending on the day) piled up and waiting to be collected only God knows at what time.

The separation of waste at source system is an ideal way to control waste and dispose of it properly, but all the effort is wasted (excuse the pun) when people take out their unwanted items on the wrong day, for example, leaving bags on the side of the pavement which are not collected on that day simply because it was not the correct day in which they should have been taken out. 

One of the questions that need to be asked is whether it is enough to have organic waste collected three times a week, general waste twice and recyclable waste once. Another question is whether the collection times are suitable, especially in localities where waste is collected in the afternoon. There was also a time when all localities had skips where people could get rid of their waste. Many of these localities have stopped the service. Is it the time to bring them back?

It is also a question of educational campaigns and enforcement. Many blame non-Maltese residents, who are used to different methods in their country of origin, for this sudden surge of the problem. Well, are they being told what they have to do to dispose of their waste?

The freezing of waste will not solve the problem.