Balzan, Birkirkara, Mosta, Qrendi, Sliema and Żurrieq were all singled out as top waste management performers in a GreenPak awards ceremony held last night.

The localities were praised for their efforts at reducing waste, encouraging sustainable waste practices and recycling, with GreenPak encouraging localities to work at breaking the link between waste generation and economic growth. 

Traditionally, GDP growth brings with it an increase in waste. But sustainable waste management practices can decouple the two, with economic growth no longer adding to the quantities of waste generated. 

Birkirkara was awarded the 'sustainable practices award' after it managed to decrease the among of black bag waste by an impressive 37 per cent while increasing recycled waste to 45kg per capita.

Sliema was named the 'best overall performer' after managing to increase its recycled waste collection volume by 65 per cent.

Mosta was named the 'most responsive community' for registering a 30 per cent increase in recycling following a two-month education campaign run by GreenPak in January 2015.

Balzan scooped the 'most supportive locality' award for its local council's continued commitment in mobilizing its residential and business community to recycle more. The ‘most glass collected' award went to the community of Żurrieq.

Qrendi residents were judged to have been the most avid participants in a used clothes campaign in aid of Nature Trust's Wildlife Rescue Unit, and the locality's local council was handed a special award by Nature Trust CEO Vince Attard.

Besides receiving the trophy and certificate of achievement, the winning local councils were presented with the prize money of €1,000 to support ongoing environmental projects within their respective locality for the benefit of its residents.

GreenPak is the largest waste recovery scheme in Malta. The organisation is a founding member of EXPRA, a not-for-profit international organisation promoting the concept that it is industry itself that should take up recycling and let recycling be a burden on Government or Local Authorities.

GreenPak has for the past decade been one of 35 national producer responsibility systems operating under the PRO Europe umbrella.

 

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