Malta should consider using construction waste to reclaim land from the sea since the introduction of an eco tax is unlikely to result in the production of less waste, according to environmentalist Lino Bugeja.
Speaking to The Times, Mr Bugeja, a former headmaster who is well known for his research on Cottonera, wondered why a comprehensive study on land reclamation had not been commissioned especially when EU structural funds were available for such development.
"Land reclamation can possibly be the solution to Malta's landfill problem when one takes into account that about 80 per cent of waste is derived from the construction industry.
"Post-war land reclamation from the sea in Malta includes the road and gardens in front of the parish church in Msida, the Kalkara promenade, the harbour in Mgarr, Gozo and the Freeport in Kalafrana," Mr Bugeja added.
Land reclamation, he noted, had played a significant role in the development of coastal areas in various parts of the world notably in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands and Britain.
"The port of Barcelona recently embarked on a comprehensive land reclamation project that will make it possible to build a yacht marina with 1,000 moorings, a zoo park and a seafront park," Mr Bugeja said, noting that one possible site for such land reclamation would be the coast close to Maghtab which was unfit for bathing.
Saying he is no civil engineer but one who reads extensively and has an inquiring mind, Mr Bugeja said that the sea close to the dump was relatively shallow.
"Malta seems to be slumbering in a time warp and technological advancements in land reclamation pioneered in Holland, Japan and the US, among other places, have not been tapped," Mr Bugeja said.
One would definitely have to study the impact of such reclamation on the marine environment but a balance has to be struck between keeping the environment in a healthy state and managing waste better, he argued.
As an example, Mr Bugeja said that by 1990, the total land area of Singapore was 633 square kilometres. With continuing land reclamation, land area in Singapore will increase by about another 100 square kilometres by 2030.
"Many business districts in Japan and hotels in Singapore are all built on reclaimed land. On a minor scale, the reclamation in Malta is a successful experience. "Reclaimed land could make up for the lack of open spaces for the enjoyment of Maltese and tourists alike.
"What I am suggesting is that a study on reclamation should be carried out to see what the possibilities are and if the findings are positive then one would know what the options are.
"Such options would assist the government to draw up a policy on land reclamation," Mr Bugeja said.