Upgrading the Sant'Antnin recycling plant

In response to comments made by Labour MEP Joseph Muscat during the meeting requested by the Committee Against the Proposed Recycling Plant, WasteServ would like to make various clarifications.

As repeatedly stated, the Solid Waste Management Strategy for the Maltese Islands, October 2001, states clearly that the Sant'Antnin Plant was to be upgraded to treat 200,000 tonnes of waste per annum. WasteServ guided the Environmental Impact Statement to be performed on this worst case scenario. However, the design and application for funds are based on the maximum inputs of 71,000 tonnes per annum which is less than the 83,000 tonnes per annum rating of the existing plant.

WasteServ reiterates that the upgraded recycling plant will not be processing all of the waste produced in Malta and Gozo but only one-third of the total waste produced. The plant will be treating 36,000 tonnes of dry recyclables primarily from bring-in sites (plastic, paper, glass, metal) and 35,000 tonnes of organic waste used to produce electrical energy which will be fed into the national grid. The final product will be stabilised to produce compost.

The proposed development with an investment of €16.7 million co-funded by the European Union is a sustainable solution to the current problems experienced by the plant. The improved facility will also allow the recycling of materials, will result in better quality compost and will produce energy for over 1,000 households. WasteServ received the concerns of the public prior to the issue of the tender for the procurement of the necessary plant. In this manner any public concerns were addressed in the specifications of the tender document.

The sustainable treatment for the rest of the waste which will not be treated at the Sant'Antnin plant was addressed by securing EU funding to perform the necessary technical studies and recommendations. A tender for the contract of these services is currently on the market.