Money matters risk stalling waste separation scheme

The waste separation scheme, which was due to begin tomorrow, may have to be postponed for the second time until a number of issues are ironed out.

Local Councils' Association president Michael Cohen told The Times that the councils, although not opposing the introduction of the scheme, still have a number of questions, mainly related to financing.

The long-awaited waste-separation-at-source scheme has proved to be quite tricky over the years. The first attempt was made in 1996 but was abandoned soon after. More recently, the government, local councils and the industry were engaged in a three-year discussion on the matter.

The scheme was originally meant to start on April 1 but, as many had feared, this proved to be a national April Fool's joke. The introduction of the scheme was postponed by two weeks and the target date then became April 15 - tomorrow. However, in view of the lack of agreement with the councils, the date may have to be postponed again and people will just have to continue using the bring-in sites for the time being.

Mr Cohen said the councils were not opposing the introduction of the scheme. On the contrary, the councils believed it would be beneficial for their localities.

He said the association had more meetings lined up over the next couple of days which, he expects, would wrap up these months of discussions. However, there were still a number of "question marks", which were delaying its introduction, mostly issues of financing.

"The government will be financing this scheme for the first two months but we still have to establish who will be footing the bill once the two months are over," he said.

"We are not 100 per-cent-sure of this yet. If the local councils have to fork out the money then this amount will have to be added to their allotment. Local councils cannot finance it unless they have the money.

"We are still discussing certain issues but we are reaching the final phase. The timing was not right because there are 23 councils that still have to settle in.

"However, contrary to what is being said, local councils will not stop this process. Lengthen it maybe but not stop it or bring it to a stalemate," he insisted.

Through the waste separation system, refuse trucks will be making a special collection for tin, plastic and paper, which will be placed together in special bags that will be available for free from local councils. The bags will be collected on Mondays in Gozo and Tuesdays in Malta.

Asked whether the scheme could start as planned while discussions continue, Mr Cohen said it would be much better if the scheme started once an agreement was finalised and all questions answered.

For example, residents still had to be informed that the bags will have to be purchased from supermarkets once the first two months were up. This will be a learning curve for all of us, he said. Mr Cohen said the fact that the scheme won't start as planned tomorrow is not so important.

"We are still working for an agreement and we are trying to draw up a good waste separation scheme. Missing a date is not the end of the world," he said.