Separate waste collection scheme set to start

Constructive criticism is welcome even from armchair critics. However introducing collection of separate waste locally turns out to be mind boggling for a number of reasons. But whatever the reasons are, being proactive is the only answer. Separating waste and collecting recyclables is part of the polluter pays principle.....the government is taking the plunge until industry and the commercial sector set up a Scheme which would then in coordination with local Councils decide on the best way forward to operate such collection. and if in Rome and in London the bag is delivered daily, it is done so at a cost, either in the form of end of the month billing, a poll tax or by initially paying that something extra in every product that you purchase out at any market, commercial outlet , supermarket etc.

Lets be human and proactive instead of being grumpy and get on with it. Its not perfect, it wont be perfect for a long while, it will have holes and they will be mended, it wasnt perfect in any other country on day1, so it wont be here either, and here its even more complicated cause in an area the size of Catania we have 68 different localities with all having their own characteristics . Its not easy to please one and all.......and its a learning curve for one and all, so lets help each other to start off and week after week assess what can be changed for the better.
And let s always remember the human beings behind any project of the like. The Local Councils Association and the Constituted Bodies and the Waste Carriers have been working on this along while, a very long while, and many people out there have voluntarily given their best in the circumstances. Its true sometimes even a collective best is not enough to please everyone and the armchair critics. However to those who have been there and put in precious hours , and in particular to all those at both Finance and Environment miniseries, who have worked on this for months on end with good intent at heart, the Local Councils Association ,, individual Councils, and the Constituted bodies, a word of advice......this is only the beginning , let s continue to be proactive and not let those critical few somehow ruin all the input to date. In the meantime a word of thanks to all of you out there who have constructive criticism...it is once again most welcome...and it will be taken on board . Till then lets all give a helping hand..please

All this complaining makes me sick. I have been recycling organic waste and separating metal, plastic and paper for the last 2 years now. Any help from the government is seen as a bonus and added help, but not receiving coupons or having to pay for a garbage bag is not going to stop me from continuing to care for my environment. We need to learn to be proactive not just reactive. It is only fair to point out if a scheme is not being implemented optimally, however this must be done with less whining and more encouraging reactions.

I will neither go to the Council to collect bags nor purchase any. I will find my means to dispose of rubbish. In England a bag is given on a daily basis to households. I saw it done in Rome last year as well. So why are we not implimenting the same procedure here? Why are we so special as to continue to squeeze the families in an already financially burdened society.? And with fuel prices on the increase, flour, pasta and the Prim Minister indicated that things may get worse. So why add up the waste bags to the family budget?

To date no mail shots nor coupons were delivered to St Julians. Until then I will continue using the many bring in sites, a small price to pay to help the environment.

Is this happening in ALL towns and villages?
I have received absolutely nothing here in Marsa. And I agree, the bin liners should be at least retailed in local shops.

I've received a green leaflet yesterday. I did not understand one thing, yes ok, we can get our grey bags for free from Local Councils, but when these finish, would we have to purchase them? And at what cost?

This waste separation scheme has holes all over. Couldn't MRRA wait for another week before issuing this press release to make sure everyone received these coupons + mailshot and knows what he has to do?

Till today, at Luqa I haven't recieved any coupons or any leaflets regarding seperate waste collection! Can we be better informed please?

This does seem to be a bit chaotic.
1. We have received no mail shot or coupons.
2. If anyone thinks that we are going to traipse the 12 miles from our residence to the local council office to collect a grey bag when we have sorting bins outside our front door, they are joking.
Would it not be easier to deliver one bag per house/letter box and replace it one for one when the bags are collected - just a thought.
p.s. It is about time that Wasteserve (?) were instructed to empty the sorting bins more regularly AND clean up around and underneath the bins when they are emptied - (It would take them just a couple of minutes with the bins out of the way, almost impossible to do when they are in place) - they are making our once clean and tidy area a real mess.

In H'Attard we recieved a sample of the grey bags and a coupon. No need to panic.. It is being distributed.. The fact that bothers me on the coupon it says

"The appropriate free grey bags can be collected from your local councilduring the appropriate times enclose, Alternatively you can purchase the grey bags from most retail outlets."

Why on earth should we go collect it or buy it?? In England they get it distributed everyday on their doorstep. They take the trash and leave another bag as simple as that. Why in Malta do we have to complicate everything even making business out of a grey bag??

The Attard Local Council seems to have been the most practical of all. They just shoved the grey bags into my front gaden on finding that there was nobody home. These armchair critics make me sick. A project of this magnitude is bound to have teething troubles but I am sure that it will take off in no time. I suggest that these 'perfect' citizens go take a walk on the Front and show some respect to the new Pemanent Secretary Christopher Cianar who, I hear, is short of camping 24 hours a day at the Ministry these last days.

Mr. Hadrian Mifsud. Don't suggest procedure that cost money. If the powers that be have the means to separate waste then let them do it and not pass this responsibility on the house wives. Further more recycling paper, plastic and metals will generate an income for some one not for the housewife who does not have time and money to spare.

No coupons were delivered neither in Mosta to date!!!

Hadrian Agius is right. At Msida we did not receive any mail-shots. Also, I think that his idea of 4 different coloured bags is a good idea.

May I ask what coupons you are referring to? I never received any. Is there a place from where I can cllect these coupons? Also, I nevwer received any mail shot that you mentione in your article. Can you at least publish same on your e paper?

I think all this waste separation scheme started on the wrong foot and is proceeding in the same direction. Today we got our coupon with the post at 12.00hrs. It states that in Sliema people can collect their bags from the Local Council from the 28th April until the 2nd May. Big joke when one considers that the coupons were delivered on the 30th April and 1st May is a holiday. Basically unless the Local Council decides to extend the period where one could collect these bags, then most people will just don't bother collecting any and continue with the ongoing practice of dumping everything in one bag. If the authorities are unable to get their act together they shouldn't expect John citizen to bridge the gap and rush to the Local Council to get a few grey bags. Pity, especially when one considers that we do have a waste problem.

Residents in Fgura likewise did not receive the mail shot referred to.

What mail-shot? What coupons? In Naxxar where we live we did not receive any.

At last! However I still have some questions:

1. To my knowledge we have not received any coupons. Should we collect these from Local Councils?

2. Where can households submit their queries if they do not have access to the internet? Please note that nobody is replying to Waste Serve freephone (80072200)...actually it is not working!

3. Are households eligible to a particular amount of collection bags per week?

4. How many bags should each household 'take out' for collection?

5. Who will take care of enforcement?

Hope to hear from Mr Christopher Ciantar soon.

Thanks

Why the coupons and why the hassle to exchange at Local Councils? Why weren't the grey bags made available at retail outlets for a price? We purchase the normal refuse bags, so why not grey ones? When is this FREE mentality coming to an end? This is an excellent idea but wait for the nitpicking to begin - I have not received my coupons, the local council ran out of bags, the bag is not big enough, where am I going to put the bag, the government should provide seperate bins and so on.

In Msida we didn't recieve any mail shots. Couldn't wasteserve organise 4 different coloured bags so that households can separate at source instead of doing it mechanically?