The Victoria and Mdina councils are the latest additions to Green Pak – the Mepa authorised waste recycling scheme. With a potential to recover 13 tonnes of recyclable waste per week, Victoria is currently only recovering three tons per week.

Today Mdina only recovers 300kgs per week – 15 per cent from its potential of two tons of recyclable waste per week.

Late last year, Paola and Żurrieq councils also migrated to Green Pak and have seen an increase of 21 per cent in the material collected for recycling.

With the addition of Victoria to the other local councils serviced by Green Pak in Gozo, the scheme now covers most households in Gozo, making it the largest packaging recovery organisation operating there.

The separated materials are collected and sent for recycling in a drive towards an increase in the amount of packaging material recovered in a sustainable and reasonable way.

Mario Schembri, CEO of Green Pak Coop, said: “We welcome the addition of these two historic cities. We are positive that both cities will see an increase in tonnage of recyclable waste within the first weeks.

“This will directly contribute to enhance the image of the cities, and in turn increase the economic activity within these communities. Our expertise and services help localities achieve a higher and greener environmental performance.”

Green Pak has pledged to install new sets of recycling banks for plastic, metal, glass and paper which will be located in various areas around Victoria, as well as increase collections from shops and small businesses.

Free recycling bags will also be distributed to each household to encourage the ‘Recycling on Tuesdays’ scheme while educational programmes will contribute in raising more awareness within the communities about the importance of recycling and the separation of waste.