A government request to local councils to change waste collection times to ease traffic congestion should not be rubbished out of hand. Indeed, this should have been done long ago but, as is the case with other matters requiring urgent attention, the authorities – central or local – very often drag their feet to the point that problems remain unsolved out of sheer inertia, lack of will or resistance from interested parties.

Changing collection schedules to ease traffic congestion at peak traffic times is a strong enough reason for local councils to act on the government’s proposal without further delay. In making the proposal, the government clearly had in mind the added chaos the waste collection trucks cause on the roads when schools reopen later this month.

In realty, however, collection trucks hold up traffic all year round, particularly in places where the sizeable trucks block the roads completely, leaving motorists fuming.

Traffic congestion has become such a huge problem that it needs to be given priority in the government’s work programme. There are usually so many obstacles holding up traffic that the situation is bound to get completely out of hand unless effective action is taken.

So far, the political commitment for a solution has not been matched by action on the ground. Rather than pushing the problem to the top of the agenda, it would seem that it has instead been relegated to the bottom.

Not only that but some of the obstacles are created with the blessing of the authorities, such as when traffic arteries are closed to enable fireworks enthusiasts to let off petards. A situation more absurd than this can hardly be found anywhere. But Malta is a sui generis case where what is unacceptable can become a norm.

Getting waste collection trucks, other heavy vehicles and horse-drawn cabs off the roads at peak traffic times unless they really need to be there will make a difference but any proposal for a change in times is bound to be strongly resisted, as shown by the reaction of the property developers. The problem can well be solved if each council adopts a system best suited for its locality.

There is no need to have the same collection time in all localities. Collection in places where there is usually heavy traffic can well be done at night or very early in the morning. Householders would have to cooperate by ensuring that domestic garbage bags are left outside for collection only at the times indicated by the councils.

There is need for greater education in waste disposal. People still flout the law at will by dumping unwanted heavy material in unbuilt plots, country lanes, pathways and, worse, valleys when they can well dispose of it at specially-designated sites or have it removed by the bulk refuse collection service.

There is no excuse for dumping waste in the countryside. It is not only garbage bags left outside doors for hours that offend but, also, the mess that people often create around the waste disposal bins provided by the councils in localities. These have to be emptied regularly to avoid overflowing and the disposal of rubbish on the ground next to them.

Many of the waste disposal trucks are great offenders as they leave behind them a trail of stinking liquid that seeps through their vehicles when the rubbish is pressed inwards.

In such a tiny island like Malta, it should not be all that difficult for the authorities to get to grips with the problems caused by waste collection trucks.