A number of organisations were acknowledged and applauded for their role at the 9th edition of the Malta Waste Reduction Awards organised by Wasteserv.
During the ceremony, several local entities were awarded for an environmental action taken, with 100 local candidates taking part. This annual celebration is a Europe-wide initiative and forms part of the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR).
The awards recognised the efforts made by various participants and displayed the environmental actions which were put forward. Participants included local councils, businesses, schools, NGOs, and citizens.
The local initiatives for the European Week for Waste Reduction were grouped under seven different categories, and were awarded as follows:
• Public Administration Category: Għajnsielem Local Council
• Associations Category: Agara Foundation
• Educational Establishments Category: St Nicholas College, Rabat Primary
• Business Administration Category: Ojo Hair and Beauty Lounge
• Individual Citizens Category: Abigail Azzopardi
• Clean-up Awareness Category: #Żibel, Kunsill Studenti Universitarji, and De La Rue Currency & Security Print Ltd
• Best Practice in Most Innovative Reuse Initiative Category: Gżira Local Council
Localities taking part in the Organic Waste Project were also awarded during the evening. The winners in this category were selected based on residents’ participation, the amount of organic waste collected per capita, reduction in the amount of black bag waste, and the increase in the quantity of recyclable waste.
The prizes of €5,000, €3,000 and €2,000 went to Cospicua, Mġarr, Marsaxlokk, Għajnsielem, Fontana and Xewkija.
“There needs to be a collective commitment to take waste management to the next level. It is useless to invest in projects, technologies, and new facilities which are beneficial to our country if the public does not do its part," Environment Minister José Herrera said.
He thanked Wasteserv, not only for their work to strengthen their infrastructure but also for their ongoing support in this annual event related to the European Week for Waste Reduction.