The environment watchdog has issued just three fines for breaches of waste collection permit conditions so far despite various reports of shortcomings by residents.

A spokesman for the Environment and Resources Authority earlier this month said operators of refuse collection vehicles had been fined following the introduction of new recycling rules at the end of last year. When pressed and asked for detailed information, the spokesman said three fines had been imposed so far for “infringement of their permit conditions”.

However, he did not specify what the conditions breached consisted of and neither did he say whether the fines were issued to the same operators or to different ones.

Questions to the government on whether the Environment Ministry deemed the number of fines a realistic reflection of the prevailing situation remained unanswered by the time of writing.

The Nationalist Party’s environment spokesman, Jason Azzopardi, said that while residents were being fined for not abiding by the rules, the figures suggested the same could not be said for the operators who were being allowed to operate with impunity. 

I get the impression this is all organised disorganisation as a result of lack of planning

He told Times of Malta that residents across the country were complaining of operators mixing waste bags on a regular basis.

“I get the impression this is all organised disorganisation as a result of lack of planning and consultation and that’s a pity because people’s efforts are being flushed down the drain,” Dr Azzopardi said.

Since the new system was introduced, residents from various localities were left fuming after witnessing refuse collectors mixing the white (organic) and black (mixed) garbage bags, expressing concern that their waste separation efforts were all in vain.

Some residents had even resorted to posting videos of such a practice on social media, expressing disbelief that this was still being allowed despite stepped up efforts and campaigns for the implementation of the new rules.

The government unveiled a new waste separation and recycling scheme in October as part of efforts to address mounting waste problems. Regulations came into force after weeks of extensive campaigns warning of harsh fines for those who did not abide by the new rules.

Following a month-long information period, Environment Minister José Herrera had said a “grace period” would be in force until the end of the year to ensure residents were up to speed with the new garbage collection system.

In the run-up to the launch of the scheme, serious doubts had been raised on how offenders who breached waste separation regulations would be identified, with the Opposition saying the regulations were “amateurish”.