214 tonnes of packaging waste collected in three weeks - May 27, 2008

Around 214 tonnes of packaging waste were collected in the first three weeks since the start of the packaging waste collection system at source, according to WasteServ.

The amount collected in the third week, 105 tonnes, is nearly four times that collected in the first.

The waste that was collected from households was well sorted and clean from organic waste, according to WasteServ officials at the Sant'Antnin Waste Treatment Plant, where all the packing waste is deposited after collection.

The locality where the largest amount of recyclable material was collected is Birkirkara with a total of 6,980 kilos, closely followed by Attard with a total of 6,560 kilos. Other localities where over four tonnes were collected included Żabbar, Qormi, Mellieħa, Mosta and Sliema.

Addressing a number of complaints received from households, Christopher Ciantar, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs said that since the management of the collection is the responsibility of the local councils, some locality issues have to be addressed by the council.

This includes, for example the collection day, where Birkirkara, Luqa, Mellieħa, Naxxar, St Paul's Bay and Senglea, have chosen a different day for the collection.

In Gozo, Għarb, Għasri and San Lawrenz have opted for Tuesday instead of Monday. Collection times also vary from one council to another, so households should check with the respective council.

Dr Ciantar also announced that over the coming days the grey bags will also be available for sale in supermarkets.

They will come in different sizes but with all the relevant information printed on them.

Another novelty to be introduced in the coming weeks is a warning red sticker which will be stuck on the grey bag by the refuse collectors should households mix organic waste with packaging waste.

The sticker will indicate that the bag was not collected because the waste was mixed.