How is waste affecting the state of the environment?
Waste generation is still increasing rapidly, particularly in the construction, demolition and municipal waste fractions.

Progress has been achieved in setting up waste management systems such as permitting improved landfill management and better enforcement. These are contributing to changing practices and attitudes with regard to waste in industry and households, however not enough resources are in place to fully implement and enforce these systems on a recurrent basis.

The review of the solid waste management strategy offers an important opportunity for Malta to map out how it plans to achieve its waste management targets in terms of key actions, actors and resources.

Waste arriving at Malta's principal waste management facilities doubled between 1996 and 2004.

Construction and demolition waste increased by 112 per cent between 1996 and 2004, while municipal solid waste increased by 45 per cent during the same period.

Packaging accounts for 37 per cent of municipal solid waste.

Construction and demolition waste made up 88 per cent of the total in 2004.

The State of the Environment Report 2005 is a Mepa publication available on www.mepa.org.mt