Malta – new waste regulations to be introduced

The government of Malta will soon conclude the drafting a policy to be able to launch large projects of land reclamation from sea and the creation of artificial islands using construction waste, the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi stated.



According to a report from Dive.com, while addressing his monthly press briefing, he did not want to give any details on the sites identified for this project, saying these will be launched shortly. Dr Gonzi added that the Cabinet will be discussing the final regulations which impose harsh fines for whoever is caught dumping illegally. These are expected to be introduced in a few weeks‘‘ time. It is unacceptable, he argued, that in the first five months of this year the government collected 6,700 tons of illegally dumped waste, while it removed 1,600 posters that were stuck illegally in arterial roads.



The amount of waste collected from bring-in sites increased from 77 to 139 tonnes over a one-year period. Following the regulations on plastic bags, a decrease of 5 million plastic units was registered in the first five months of 2005. Thus by the end of the year the country would have saved 20 million plastic units, and the consumption of plastic bags will be reduced by 40 per cent.



The Prime Minister said that by 2007 the government would have spent 28 million euros in environmental projects besides the other 10 projects that are managed by MEPA and will cost another 2 million euros. WasteServ finalised an agreement with an international company to export 50 tons of used batteries to be treated in plants outside Malta. The eco-contribution will make up for the expenditure which will cost Lm1,000 every ton.