The Nationalist Party has proposed a carrying capacity policy as a key solution to Malta’s growing garbage problem, especially in localities heavily impacted by tourism such as Swieqi, St Julian’s and Msida.

The suggestion came during a press conference held on Tuesday to address long-standing concerns from residents and mayors who say the current waste management system is outdated and ineffective.

PN MP Eve Borg Bonello said the issue is far from new, insisting it is not just a seasonal inconvenience but a result of poor long-term planning and a lack of vision. She criticised the government for consistently downplaying the situation and pushing councils into a role of management by crisis. According to Borg Bonello, the country’s current one-size-fits-all system has failed before it even had a chance to work, as it ignores the differing needs and realities of each locality.

She called for nationwide shift towards data-driven policies that reflect the actual carrying capacity of each locality. This framework would assess how many people—residents and tourists combined locality can reasonably sustain based on infrastructure and waste management capabilities. The PN is also proposing serious legislative reform, including the introduction of on-the-spot fines and local council empowerment, to allow for more targeted and effective responses.

Charles Selvaggi, mayor of Msida, warned that the locality is under immense pressure, stating that waste output has increased tenfold—from ten to a hundred bags daily—without any adjustment to the collection system. Despite this surge, the waste management approach has remained unchanged. Selvaggi noted that 64 per cent of Msida’s residents are foreigners, many of whom are unfamiliar with Malta’s waste separation rules and rely solely on black bags, which should actually be the smallest but are now the most overused. He said the growing volumes of unregulated waste are attracting vermin, posing health risks and environmental harm. Selvaggi called for a pilot project involving local volunteers to be launched in Msida to directly address the crisis.

Noel Muscat, Mayor of Swieqi, also expressed frustration with the current state of waste management. He noted that despite holding three stakeholder meetings to seek both short- and long-term solutions, no progress has been made and the locality has been left to struggle alone. Muscat said the situation has worsened to the point that residents feel their locality has become one of fear and filth. He highlighted the significant role that short lets are playing in worsening the waste problem, explaining that during a past effort to introduce organic waste separation, it was quickly discovered that short-term rentals were the main source of non-compliance. Despite this finding, he said absolutely no action was taken.

 Both Muscat and Selvaggi pointed out that while councils are doing their best to manage the waste problem, they are often powerless due to a lack of enforcement and government support. They argued that efforts such as sending wardens or environmental officers are pointless if fines are not issued and no legal backing is in place. Tourists, who are often the ones causing the most waste, are rarely penalised or even informed about how Malta’s system works.

Borg Bonello added that while every locality has its unique challenges, tourist-heavy areas are bearing the brunt of the national waste crisis. She argued that local councils must have the authority to choose what is right for their communities, and that simply issuing generalised directives will not solve the issue. According to her, the black bag problem is symbolic of the wider systemic failure, as it has become the dominant bag despite being intended for limited use.

The PN said that unless swift and effective action is taken, the challenges will only continue to grow alongside the resident and tourist populations. The party reiterated that its carrying capacity proposal is not just a solution for today, but one that aims to safeguard the future by aligning waste policy with real-life conditions on the ground.

Borg Bonello closed by stating that the government is failing to grasp the seriousness of the situation and is more concerned with maintaining appearances than providing real solutions. She urged the government to stop treating councils as scapegoats and instead give them the resources and autonomy they need to protect both residents and visitors.