Waste collection scheme 'to start on Monday'

The collection of packaging waste at source is due to start in Gozo on Monday and in Malta on Tuesday, after the start of the scheme was put off twice last month over funding issues.

The announcement was made yesterday by Christopher Ciantar, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs.

"Pending issues have now been ironed out, although the parties agree that the system will be monitored on a weekly basis because fine-tuning is inevitable. As a result, the collection system can start, thanks to the hard work of all parties concerned," he said.

As from yesterday households were able to exchange their coupons for the grey bags that will be collected, as well as enquire about the logistics of the scheme at their respective local councils.

Mr Ciantar said households should also refer to a nationwide mailshot sent earlier this week which includes a schedule of when the collection scheme will start in the various localities. Households which have not yet received their coupons will receive them by Friday at 5 p.m.

Only three materials will be collected in the grey bags - metal, paper and plastic. For the time being glass has to be disposed of at the bring-in-sites. This is because broken glass can contaminate the paper in the same bag.

Once collected, the waste will be separated again mechanically at the Sant'Antnin plant in Marsascala. All other refuse will continue to be collected on a daily basis throughout the week.

The scheme was originally meant to start operating in April but differences over the funding of the scheme between the Association of Local Councils, the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU representing waste carriers, and the government twice led to its delay.