Countryside yields 46 tonnes of scrap metal

Workers from the Parks, Afforestation and Countryside Restoration Department (Park) within the Environment Ministry have collected more than 46 tonnes of scrap metal from the countryside since January.

The metal is mainly in the form of empty drums, rusty white goods and vehicle parts collected from Dwejra (limits of Rabat), Bingemma (limits of Mgarr), Attard, Chadwick Lakes, Salina, Pembroke and Ta' Qali. It has been sold to a private contractor and exported for recycling.

The park's head, Herman Galea, explained that the department collects the material from public and private land after the Malta Environment and Planning Authority issues an enforcement notice for its removal.

In the case of private land where, for instance, drums are used to bar access to fields or as wind breakers, the department first advises owners to remove them, making them aware that they might be liable to fines if they refuse. Action will only be taken following such warnings.

Other kind of waste, such as mattresses and construction material, found in the countryside is also collected but cannot be disposed of in the same way as scrap metal.

The department advised anyone who wishes to report illegal dumping to call on environment freephone 8007 2210.