McDonald’s at Tigné Seafront generates a lot of waste, mostly empties (plastic bottles and cartons). Many takeaway buyers of McDonald’s dispose of the empties near the black rubbish bags, which residents place outside for collection.

As a result, the pavement on the apartments’ side of Tignè Seafront is often full of empty plastic bottles, empty cartons and other McDonald’s waste, including bags of half-eaten French fries and containers with partially drunk milkshakes.

Apart from McDonald’s there are other food and drink sellers, including Dr Juice and Burger King, whose empties also mess our pavements but to a lesser extent.

Last year, I spoke to the management at McDonald’s who promised to place a large and very visible notice advising patrons who buy takeaways not to dispose of the empties on the pavements but this has not been done.

It is true that McDonald’s at Tigné Seafront has two largish waste bins outside the outlet but one should not expect the buyers of takeaways to dispose of the empties as soon as they exit the shop because it takes time for food and drink to be consumed.

One reason why takeaway buyers throw the empties on the pavement is that there are no rubbish bins between McDonald’s and the Old Distillery (a distance of about 200 metres). This means that while McDonald’s is making the money, the residents of this area have to bear the brunt of the mess created by its waste.

The problem could be totally or partially solved if: (a) the Sliema local council places a large visible notice a few metres to the left of McDonald’s outlet (as one exits), advising buyers of takeaways they should not throw empties on the pavement and that there are many rubbish bins on the centre strip and on the other side of the road, and (b) places a similar very visible notice at the exit of the establishment.

In addition, McDonald’s should engage a person to collect the empties and other waste generated from its outlet and deposited on the Tignè Seafront pavement. Ideally this should be done early mornings.