Waste management was the main focus of environmental measures in the Budget, including a pledge for the government to seek proposals for the return of empty plastic bottles.
The government announced it would be seeking proposals that would enable consumers to deposit empty plastic bottles at supermarkets or petrol stations to reduce the vast amount of plastic waste generated.
The scheme would be similar to the old practice of returning glass bottles of soft drinks and water to bottling companies through intermediaries – a scheme that had to be discontinued since EU membership as it was considered an obstacle to the free trade of goods.
The problem of waste management is also being addressed through a focus on Wasteserv. The government said the company has undergone changes at management and operational levels to improve its transparency and efficiency.
The projects expected to be finalised next year include a treatment plant at Għallis and a waste transfer station in Gozo.
An application will also be submitted for preliminary works to start on the rehabilitation of the old dumpsite at Wied Fulija in Żurrieq.
The introduction of organic waste bags in the waste separation scheme is also expected to improve the country’s abysmal performance in waste separation. It would also improve the efficiency at the Sant’ Antnin recycling plant and the new one at Għallis.
The government also said work towards green public procurement would continue, with the aim that products purchased for use by the public administration would be of a high environmental standard.
A national afforestation plan is being prepared that stresses a need to comply with the national biodiversity strategy. Trees would also be planted at the Salina Park, as part of a commitment already made by government to replace trees uprooted because of the Salina coast road project.
Initiatives to “green” other parts of the country would continue in the coming year, government said. The idea is to create “a green belt” that would benefit the community.
Studies will be carried out to assess how “abandoned zones” could be transformed into recreation zones where the government will encourage tree planting to serve as a green lung. Following criticism of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority rubber-stamping development proposals, the government announced the split of the planning and environmental functions of Mepa would be finalised in the coming year.
“This would create stronger institutions that are autonomous and serve citizens. Through this, another promise made in the electoral manifesto will be fulfilled,” Finance Minister Edward Scicluna said in the Budget speech.