Waste separation starting date dumped again

Waste separation at source, which was meant to start today, has been postponed until a final agreement on the new scheme is signed between the government and the Local Councils Association.

The two parties, who met yesterday and are expected to meet again today, have decided not to pencil in a new date for the start of the scheme until they settle certain matters, mainly of a financial nature.

The first failed attempt to implement such a scheme was in 1996. After another attempt, the scheme was meant to start today after having been moved from April 1 but has had to be postponed again to iron out the pending issues.

Both association president Michael Cohen and a spokesman for the government confirmed there will be no new date until this happens. Both sides are keen to avoid another embarrassing situation where a date is set but not honoured.

However, they confirmed they are close to reaching an agreement and expect to sign it by the end of the week.

One of the bones of contention is who will pay for the scheme once the two-month trial period financed by the government is up.

Mr Cohen was asked why waste collectors will be paid €186 (Lm79.85) per trip to collect the separated waste when some councils pay €97 (Lm41.64) for the same trip to collect organic waste.

In view of this expense, several councils are resisting the introduction of the scheme.

Mr Cohen replied that the price tag was "generous" in order to entice waste collectors to invest in modern equipment.

Moreover, the fee included overtime which would have to be paid, uniforms for waste collectors and other expenses such as the washing of waste trucks.

The association is lobbying on behalf of the local councils since it is they who will be responsible for the management of the system.