Limits on landfill waste disposal missed

Malta has exceeded limits on the disposal of municipal waste in landfills because of delays in the completion of the Sant'Antin plant, information given in Parliament shows.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, replying to a question by Leo Brincat (PL) said the 2010 target  set under the EU Landfills Directive could not be achieved because of problems in the building of the plant. The anaerobic digestion process was completed in November and should be completely operational in the coming months.

Malta had been allowed to dispose up to 106,109 tons of biodegradable municipal waste in landfills. According to Mepa figures, between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010 disposal totalled 146,668 tons of biodegradable municipal waste, exceeding the allowed target by 42,649 tons.

Dr Gonzi said various measures were being taken to divert more biodegradable municipal waste in order to achieve the 2010 target. They included the export of treated solid municipal waste and waste separation at source through recycle Tuesdays and bring in sites. These measures would divert some 6,000 tons so that the total amount of deviated municipal biodegradable waste this year would reach 20,000 tons.

Other measures would include the commissioning of Mechanical Biological Treatment Plants in the North of Malta and in Gozo.