CF 266: Extending Waste Separation and Collection Services in the Maltese Islands

This project complemented the ERDF22 project financed from EU Programming Period 2004-2006. The aim was to improve the waste separation infrastructure in the Maltese Islands to attain higher recovery and recycling rates in accordance with EU legislation.

The overall objectives of this project include the following:1) Improve the waste separation system in the Maltese Islands with the installation of additional infrastructure so as to achieve higher capture rates. (The new CA Site is estimated to receive approximately 4,760 tonnes of additional waste per year;2) Consolidate the level of conformity with the relevant waste management legislation, in particular with the Directive 2008/98/EC on Waste, the Landfill Regulations L.N. 168 of 2002 and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations L.N. 277 of 2006;3) Fulfil the relevant principles established in the ‘Solid Waste Management Strategy for the Maltese Islands’ in terms of the waste hierarchy, the proximity principle, and sustainability. The waste hierarchy states that when the waste is created, priority is given to preparation for reuse, then recycling and recovery before disposal which is the least favoured option of all. The proximity principle determines that waste should be treated or disposed of as close as possible to the point where it arises. The sustainability principle stipulates that waste should be managed in a way that does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, which obviously translates into the necessity of waste minimisation;4) Ensure protection of the environment to secure a better quality of life for the present and future generations.

1)Provide treatment for approximately 1,300 tonnes of glass which is recovered annually;2) Enable the compaction of approximately 8,689 tonnes of waste collected at CA sites (landfill, wood and green waste) to improve the capacity of these facilities;3) Increase the aggregate waste collection at CA sites to 24.5%. In 2009, 19,434 tonnes of waste was collected at the existing CA sites. The Ta’ Qali CA site is expected to accept approximately 4,760 tonnes of waste annually; Good participation rate can be achieved by informing the public about the existence of the site, its function and proper use. Informative leaflets can will be distributed to the residents living in the surrounding villages. Discussions can be carried out with the local councils so that these may also assist in the dissemination of information. 4) Recover good quality compost from 650 tonnes p.a. of green waste which is generated at Pitkalija.