Mepa guidelines on waste collected from ships

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa), in consultation with the Malta Maritime Authority, has drawn the attention of terminal operators, ship agents, port masters, ship owners and waste carriers regarding certain practices concerning the management, collection and disposal of waste generated by ships calling at Maltese ports.

Mepa said that all waste discharged by ships should be handed over to authorised waste carriers who possess valid permits issued by Mepa. Waste carriers who do not hold such a permit will not be allowed to collect waste from ships after August 31.

Waste carriers cannot carry two types of source separated waste in a vehicle that is not suitably licensed for the simultaneous carriage of more than one fraction of source separated waste (e.g. paper, glass, metals, etc) while source separated waste should only be delivered to the authorised material recovery facilities as per instructions given by WasteServ.

Another provision states that waste carriers are to ensure that only general mixed waste should be directed to disposal sites designated for such purposes, as the Għallis landfill.

Wastes classified as hazardous should be accompanied by consignment permits and consignment notes issued by Mepa.