Cynthia Busuttil
New waste scheme has no effect on bring-in sites
A total of 613 tonnes of separated waste were collected last month during the weekly door-to-door collections that started on May 5. Photo: Jason Borg
The importance of bring-in sites has not been diminished by the weekly door-to-door separated waste collection scheme, Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said yesterday.
In fact, the amount of separated waste, excluding glass, collected from bring-in sites increased by more than 43 tonnes between May 2007 and last month, he said.
This is in addition to the 613 tonnes of separated waste collected in May during the weekly door-to-door collections that kicked off on May 5.
"It is clear that the two systems are complementary," said the minister.
Speaking during a press conference in Attard - where the highest amount of waste per capita was collected from doorsteps - Mr Pullicino announced that, as from this week, bags containing anything apart from metal, plastic and paper would not be collected under the weekly scheme. Collectors, he continued, would be putting a sticker on uncollected bags to inform people why their bag has been left behind.
The minister pointed out that throwing glass among the separated waste could lead to injuries among waste separators working at the Sant' Antnin Recycling Plant, while organic waste could contaminate the rest of the waste, rendering it useless.
Mr Pullicino said enough energy for Gozo would be generated if all waste was translated into energy.
Newly appointed inspectors are currently touring localities to listen to people's complaints and make sure that the system is working well. Among their work is ensuring that all vehicles are cleaned before collecting separated waste to ensure that no contamination takes place.
The minister said a culture change was not only needed among collectors - who would not be paid unless they abided by the agreed regulations - but also among the public who must realise the importance of separating waste.
The minister announced the launch of an annual prize for the three localities that collect most waste per capita.
Parliamentary secretary Chris Said welcomed people's support for the waste separation scheme, saying some had still to understand the importance of this initiative.
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M. Depasquale
Jun 11th 2008, 22:39
I have not managed to find a supermarket/grocery from where we can buy the waste separation bags. Any information from where please? Thank you.
Karen M. Zammit Manduca
Jun 11th 2008, 17:23
I would like to thank the Minister for his indirect reply to my question of a couple of weeks ago regarding why we have been instructed to include glass with the separated waste as we have been doing for the past three years.
I appreciate the concern that, "throwing glass among the separated waste could lead to injuries among waste separators working at the Sant' Antnin Recycling Plant", but couldn't arrangements be made to have the glass packaged separately but collected just the same? A reused shopping bag can be used to pack bottles and jars because these would still be easily and quickly identifiable. As things stand at present, I feel sure that much glass is still being thrown out with the "other" waste by those who don't care a fig for the threatened environment outside their own homes.
john fenech
Jun 11th 2008, 14:18
Statistics are funny things; they could be a wealth of information or mire of despair.
Details from the Wasteserv report 2008 for the Bring-in sites statistics (tons collected)
• 2005 1756.6 Tons; 2006 2215.1; 2007 2760.2.
• An average annual increase of 24% or an increase of 57% from 2006 to 2007.
Factoring an increase of 20% for the Bring-in site tonnage for 2008; then total collected from January to May this year should be 1380 tons as compared to 1150 tons for same period last year.
Which would translate to an increase of 46 tons per month to a total of 230 Tons from January to May of this year?
So if 43 tons represent a month for month comparison than the increase is slightly under the average. I my opinion, since the Kerb side service has been on line for only 4 weeks it will require more data to compare waste collection stability between the two services.
So far collection average for the Kerb side service translates to 123 Tons per week while that for the Bring-in sites equates to 53 Tons per week.
Edward Micallef
Jun 11th 2008, 09:53
Our collectors in the locality of Mosta (Ta' l-Isperanza Area) do not even collect the other rubbish, let alone the separated waste. Our other waste is collected every two or three days, thus rubbish is left next to our doorstep to pile up. Of course, stray dogs and cats are very happy indeed about this situation. The Local Council has been informed on several occasions but does not seem to bother at all. So why should we residents bother about waste separation?
M.Borg
Jun 11th 2008, 09:48
"The minister announced the launch of an annual prize for the three localities that collect most waste per capita"
Being a resident from Attard the only gift he can give us is more open spaces and more controlled development..start from Ta'Fgieni mr.minister Thanks!