“We encourage waste separation in localities. However, we recognise that this is not enough. As a country we still lag behind and have failed to reach targets on packaging waste as well as waste generated by electrical and electronic equipment.

“It is essential to address the operation of scrapyards. These process waste which is subject to at least three directives of the EU, namely the WEEE Directive, the End of Life Vehicles Directive and the Batteries Directive. The manner in which scrapyards have been permitted to operate signifies a total disregard of the principles and safeguards listed in the said directives. The fact that after more than eight years of EU membership we are still discussing these issues signifies the low level of preparedness to shoulder environmental responsibilities resulting from EU adhesion” (Alternattiva’s electoral manifesto, pgs 89-90, March 2013).

The existence of operational scrapyards is an affront to Malta’s environmental obligations.

In scrapyards one finds discarded vehicles and other objects made primarily of metal beyond their useful life. There are a number of operational scrapyards in various areas in Malta. A major one was closed by Mepa some years back in Birżebbuġa. This is now in the process of reopening as an up-to-standard end-of-life vehicle facility based in Ħal-Far. The relative planning and environmental applications have been processed by Mepa and Malta Enterprise and the facility should be operational in the not-too-distant future.

The existence of operational scrapyards is an affront to Malta’s environmental obligations

There are other scrapyards (large and small) in various parts of the island. They are mostly an eyesore, generally a blot on the landscape and being the cause of negative environmental impacts.

Recycling scrap metal (and other materials) is an important economic activity which ensures that resources originally extracted from the earth are kept in use and not discarded as waste. Recycling activity if properly managed is an important economic activity that is environmentally friendly. Employment created in this type of activity is an important source of green jobs.

Vehicles and equipment beyond its useful life cannot be disposed of haphazardly. Three specific EU directives, namely the End of Life Vehicle Directive (ELV), the Batteries Directive and the Waste from Electric and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE), establish the responsibilities of EU member states to regulate in detail these specific waste streams. The objective is to recover metals and other materials that would otherwise go to waste. Their recovery should, however, be carried out in an environmental-friendly manner.

Each and every part of a vehicle or a piece of equipment should be dismantled with particular care being given to the collection of fluids and gases. No such care is afforded in scrapyards.

Similarly, it is to be pointed out that the WEEE directive is not being properly implemented in Malta. This is due to the fact that there is a conflict between the responsibilities spelt out in the directive and the eco-contribution charged in Malta on electric, electronic and white goods.

The WEEE Directive spells out and applies the responsibility of producers for disposing of the electric and electronic waste generated by their products.

It does so to encourage manufacturers to put on the market products that are easily recoverable and that can be recycled without much difficulty and expense.

The recovery from consumers of electric/electronic products and white goods beyond their useful life can be carried out at an expense, which, in terms of the WEEE Directive, is to be added to the purchase price. But the situation in Malta is such that the cost of processing the waste generated by electric/electronic products and white goods is already quantified as an eco-contribution. This was fair play when there was no WEEE Directive in operation.

But, now, producers would have to pay twice for the same service. They pay an eco-contribution on placing the product on the market and then they must pay once more to honour their WEEE commitments. In view of the above, the WEEE Directive has not yet been properly implemented in Malta. It is about time that we get our house in order. The politics of waste is a very important matter that has not yet been given sufficient thought. Except, that is, for the siting of waste management facilities, which seems to be the only waste issue that has interested the public in recent years.

The Issues Paper published recently by Minister Leo Brincat makes scant reference to the above. Maybe this is because it is a preliminary document preceding the actual Waste Management Plan for 2014-20.

A structured discussion on waste policy will certainly be of help. Having a multitude of public consultation exercises by the different ministries launched during the summer period is not good practice. It is an old trick played by those who want to nominally honour their obligations to consult.

Hopefully, when the actual draft Waste Management Plan 2014-20 is available for consultation we will have ample time to discuss.

cacopardocarm@euroweb.net.mt

carmelcacopardo.wordpress.com

Carmel Cacopardo is deputy chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika.