The Valletta local council's new packaging waste collection pilot project did not get off to the best of starts as mayor Alexiei Dingli had to contend with angry residents protesting against new recycling bins being placed on their property.

The pilot project was launched yesterday at St Paul's Building, next to Valletta's Anglican cathedral. St Paul's Building contains a collection of private residences and offices.

Residents confronted Dr Dingli and other council members present for the launch, repeatedly saying they had not been consulted about bins being placed on their veranda, right opposite a doorway, which leads into numerous offices and very close to entrances to their homes.

Dr Dingli insisted later that his encounter with the residents was in fact meant to give them information about the pilot project.

They also complained that the bins were not large enough to cater for the 25-odd families living in the building.

Another concern was that non-residents and outsiders might dispose of their waste in the bins.

The new initiative is one of a number that have been outsourced by various local councils to recycling company Greenpak, which specialises in recycling packaging waste.

Company representative Denise Vassallo said Valletta local council would be saving money by cutting its landfill fees through the implementation of the initiative throughout the city.

So far, the bins have been placed in three locations as part of the pilot project.

Ms Vassallo added: "If good recycling rates are achieved in a particular area, Greenpak comes in and does things to better the environment in that area, such as sponsoring clean-ups or refurbishment works for public places such as swings."

Greenpak intends to monitor the bins outside St Paul's Building to see how often waste will need to be collected and to what extent will they be used by residents.