68% of packaging in Żejtun being recycled
A waste recycling education campaign together with the distribution of "Green Recycling Sacks" launched last month in Żejtun has generating positive results. Green Dot Malta, operators of the waste recovery scheme known as GreenPak, said that recyclable material collected from Żejtun households has increased from 3.5 tonnes per week to 5.38 tonnes in a matter of a few weeks.
Considering that Żejtun is a community of some 4,000 households, this means that at least 68% of the packaging generated in this locality is being sent for recycling. This is amongst the highest collection rates anywhere in Malta.
"GreenPak has always believed that the key for increasing public participation in recycling is through education. Education creates awareness and stimulates participation. We also believe that the news media in Malta has an essential role to play in this regard," said Green Dot Malta CEO, Ing Mario Schembri, during the presentation of GreenPak's sponsorship of the Environmental Journalism category in the Malta Journalism Awards (MJA), organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM).
The environmental journalism prize, which brings to 13 the number of categories for the Awards' 20th edition, is presented to the Maltese journalist whose work is assessed as having most effectively communicated environmental issues to the public.
"The Award aims to give due recognition to environmental journalism and is the Institute's response to members' request for this new category, once a sponsor has been identified," said IĠM chairman, Malcolm J. Naudi.
"Each submitted portfolio will be examined mainly for newsworthiness: timely work that adds to or encourages debate on current issues; and for impact - work that is noteworthy for its positive effect or influence in the community. The judging panel will also be instructed to base its considerations on other criteria, such as adherence to the IĠM's code of ethics, creativity and appropriateness of context."
As part of the educational campaign in Żejtun, a 12-strong team led by the Deputy-Mayor Joan Agius in conjunction with GreenPak visited every household in the locality to inform residents about the advantages of waste separation.
"We are working hard to increase Malta's ability to recycle more and more packaging waste. Our aim is to be in line with the EU established quotas and Malta is still very behind in this regard. GreenPak is currently boosting recycling participation rates in those Local Councils in which we operate and are stimulating others to follow suit," Ing. Schembri said.
Appropriate fees incurred by Local Councils to send their waste collection to a landfill have drastically increased from 0.77 cents per tonne to Euro 20 per tonne. He said that local councils therefore need to encourage their citizens to recycle in order to contain the payment of these new fees.
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tony abela
Mar 11th 2010, 09:45
@Myrna Minkoff
I want to give the benefit of the doubt and grant you the fact that in your comment you did not have in mind to offend the people of Zejtun.
I guess it will be very correct to post a clarification to this effect.
And I strongly suggest again to you and to the people who do not know enough Zejtun and its people to browse through the websites I mentioned in my earlier blog.
Thank you.
R Axisa
Mar 10th 2010, 21:14
@Myrna Minkoff
Following your comment, I would like to let you know that the people of Zejtun are one of the best throughout the whole island. I have been living here for the last 19 years, enough to get to know Zejtun and its people. Besides, Zejtun is very rich in its history and a number of important persons hailed/hail from Zejtun. I suggest you to visit the sites as stated by Tony Abela below. I'm sure that you will realise how much there is for you to learn! May be you will change your mind. Such comments are shameful!
Ruben Abela
Mar 10th 2010, 20:08
@ Myrna Minkoff By any chance are you one of those who does not even know where Zejtun is? You are sure one of the prejudiced against Zejtun and its people without knowing the town, its people and its heritage. I feel you need to educate yourself and therefore would like to advise you to browse the many websites featuring information on our town and join the Facebook group 'Fondazzjoni Wirt iz-Zejtun'.
jsaliba
Mar 10th 2010, 17:39
Well organised, well advertised, good participation and well done.
J.Kawash @ Myrna Minkoff
Mar 10th 2010, 15:28
@ Myrna Minkoff , How dare you look down upon us,are you implying that we people from Zejtun are second class citizens,or are one of those snobs and wannabees who live somewhere unheard of,north of the border,if you are for your information we have one of the best churches,feasts,fireworks and landmarks and history so shame on you !
C. Grima
Mar 10th 2010, 14:44
@Myrna Minkoff:
Do you think you've got something more than people living at Zejtun???
For your info, ZEJTUN people do not live up to their reputation... live with them since you when born and you'll know what it means...
Shame on you to treat us like this.
Claude C. Camilleri
Mar 10th 2010, 14:03
Good job to Zejtun Local Council, and a very good job to the people of Zejtun for the interest they are showing in environment.
Myrna Minkoff
Mar 10th 2010, 11:27
see. if ZEJTUN can do it then, well ...
Vincent Gauci
Mar 10th 2010, 10:36
Congratulations to the Zejtun community and to GreenPak for this achievement. Let's strive to achieve the same or better recycling rate in other towns. Yes education and awareness is key to environmental improvement which goes beyond clean streets and decorated roundabouts.
TONY ABELA
Mar 10th 2010, 10:20
Another PLUS for the Zejtun people, who has treated as 2nd class citizens by the present administration and looked down upon by the local media and public opinion.
Not only the campaign was made by door-to-door distribution of green plastic bags, but the campaign was spread to the Schools at Zejtun, the Catechism classes at Zejtun and also the Parish Community during various group meetings.
For one to appreciate the richness and values of Zejtun and its people one should visit the Zejtun Local Council website (zejtun.lc@gov.mt) Zejtun Parish website, (www.zejtunparish.com) and other Zejtun related websites and Facebook links such as ‘Fondazzjoni Wirt iz-Zejtun’ on Facebook.