Greenpeace concerned at temporary landfills proposal

Greenpeace has written to the Ministry of Resources and Infrastructure to express "grave concerns" over the proposal to create two temporary landfills in Qrendi, close to the Mnajdra prehistoric temple.

It also urged the public to sign a petition opposing the landfills.

The government is proposing the landfills as an interim replacement for the Maghtab rubbish dump, which it plans to close down next year in line with EU requirements, until a new landfill to be constructed at Ghallis can come into use.

But Greenpeace holds that there is no such thing as temporary when speaking about the "toxic time-bomb" effects of landfills, no matter how well-engineered.

It said linings would crack after a number of years and even the best landfill would eventually leach and pollute ground waters.

"Landfills should be used as a last resort and only-non-compostable, non-recyclable, non-hazardous and non-toxic wastes should be landfilled."

It called on the authorities to clarify the confusion arising from the ministry's insistence that only non-hazardous waste would be accepted when no official deadlines had yet been set for the collection and monitoring of hazardous household waste. This would include batteries, bleach, disinfectants, pesticides, motor oil and nail polish.

"The minister should tackle the aspect of separation at source more seriously if Malta's environment is his priority, rather than pleasing the EU. He must admit the failings of his ministry to keep the commitments and deadlines made on a national level and look for a solution that will be of benefit to the whole country in the long term, rather than pollute new sites just to satisfy international deadlines," Sonya Pecorella, for Greenpeace Mediterranean, was quoted as saying.

Greenpeace proposed that Maghtab should be used until 2006 so that the millions that would be spent on the construction of the temporary landfills could instead fund a nationwide programme based on separation at source, composting, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, along with the upgrade of Sant' Antnin and a materials recovery facility.

This would lead to a significant reduction in the waste that would enter Maghtab over the next two years and make sure the programme was ready by the time another landfill was ready, Greenpeace argued.

The petition is being distributed in various localities and can be found on the website of Friends of the Earth (Malta).

www.foemalta