Illegal scrap, abandoned cars and old oil tanks have been removed from a large quarry in the whereabouts of Wied Ganu limits of Zurrieq.

This owner of the quarry was served with an enforcement notice but fully co-operated and removed most of the illegal material on his own initiative.

The chairman of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Austin Walker, stressed that the more time passed, the more people were cooperating and understanding that the authority was serious about its intent of freeing the Maltese countryside from the plague of illegally dumped material.

He said that in Safi, all derelict sites identified and served with an enforcement notice were cleared by their owners on their own initiative.

Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said that 564 tons of waste were collected within one year by the Parks and CSD departments.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said said that 54 percent of sites identified for clean-ups around Malta and Gozo were cleared by land owners without the need for direct action.

Any abandoned large metal items can be reported to local councils.

Owners who wish to dispose of bulky metal objects can do so by calling 2360 5104 or 8007 6608.