What is the trend in waste generation?

Waste generation and poor waste management practices may cause significant environmental impacts due to air pollution, contamination of surface waters and groundwater, land take-up for landfills, loss of natural resources, and negative effects on human health.

Waste generation decreased by 61.7 per cent between 2008 and 2009, mainly due to a reduction in construction and demolition waste.

In line with the relevant EU regulation, waste generated is divided into four principal categories: municipal waste, hazardous waste, construction and demolition waste, and, commercial and industrial waste.

The share of municipal waste increased from 11.5 per cent in 2008 to 29.3 per cent in 2009. Estimates for hazardous waste generated registered an increase of 2.6 per cent in share, rising to 5.1 per cent, despite the fact that the amount generated decreased by 11,500 tonnes.

Construction and demolition waste generated in 2009 represented 58.9 per cent of total, while the share of commercial and industrial waste increased to 6.8 per cent (from 2.6 per cent in 2008). In 2009 the share of landfilled waste increased by five per cent over the previous year to 80 per cent. The remaining waste was recycled, stored or exported, and some construction and demolition waste was disposed of at sea.

For more information see The Environment Report Indicators 2009 at www.mepa.org.mt/teri2009.

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