Recycling increases, but still way short of EU target

Maltese households managed to increase the amount of waste separated for recycling in 2009, but the figure falls far short of the minimum target set by the EU of 25 per cent of waste generated.

The amount of separated waste for recycling last year was about 6.7 per cent of the total household waste, up from 5.5 per cent, according to figures presented in Parliament by Resources Minister George Pullicino.

Birkirkara managed to almost double the amount of waste separated between 2008 and 2009. Significant increases were also registered in other localities in the Northern Harbour District, namely Sliema, Swieqi and San Ġwann.

The localities that separated the highest amount of household waste in the Southern Harbour District were Żabbar, Fgura and Tarxien respectively.

Marsascala registered the highest increase in household efforts to recycle waste in the South Eastern District. But in Kirkop, Mqabba and Safi, the amount of waste sent for recycling decreased.

All localities in the Western and Northern Districts managed to increase the amount of waste separated by households, to varying degrees. They made up for other areas throughout Malta where less waste was separated at source - Vittoriosa, Kalkara, Luqa, Gżira, Msida, Pembroke, Kirkop, Mqabba, Safi.

In Gozo, Victoria registered the highest increase in the total amount of waste separated at source, while a decrease was registered in Għarb, Għasri, San Lawrenz, Żebbuġ and Għajnsielem.

Malta should be recycling a minimum of 25 per cent of its total waste stream, according to EU targets. By 2013, Malta needs to recycle 55 to 80 per cent of its waste or face penalties.

Not all separated waste is recycled. Currently, some 10 per cent of the material collected is classified as Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). This waste is rejected because of contamination, and put up for sale by Wasteserv.

Most of it ends up being incinerated in the Far East, namely China, the Resources Ministry said.

Penalties are not the only repercussion should Malta fail to meet its targets. It may also mean more household waste would be fed into the planned incinerator at Delimara.

The ministry had said the incinerator would handle 20 per cent of waste, but this was based on the premise that Malta will be recycling 80 per cent, the maximum recycling target set by the EU. Malta is currently separating less than seven per cent of waste generated.

Scientific studies show that the thermal process in waste incineration has the potential of creating health and environmental hazards, unless rigorously controlled.