Young or old, local or foreign, male or female, there’s one thing we’ve all got in common – we all produce waste.

Of course, the amount of waste we produce can be decreased by adopting some good practices, such as purchasing reusable items, becoming mindful consumers, and repurposing products, however, it’s practically impossible to eliminate the generation of waste for good.

So as the world’s population and its subsequent waste output grows, the implementation of an effective waste management strategy is more important than ever…

Locally, pretty much any national campaign related to the environment and sustainability (that includes waste management) is undertaken by the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA).

ERA is spurred forward by its mission to safeguard the country’s environment for a sustainable quality of life. This is mainly done by educating Malta’s residents and visitors all about Maltese Biodiversity, introducing new legislations, and making changes within Government policy.

A prime example of the authority’s work is its National Strategy for the Environment (NSE) – a master plan to push the Maltese islands towards a wellbeing first environment.

Now, back to waste management…

You’re sure to have used or seen at least one set of Bring-In-Sites around the island at some point or another. By making it easier for consumers to separate their waste, these bins are a prime example of simple-yet-effective waste management.

ERA is in the process of carrying out discussions with all local councils to ensure compliance with the said legislation, which seeks to keep the number of bins present around the Maltese islands in line with new regulations which state that there must be a Bring-In-Site present for every 2,000 residents.

So, if your town is home to 10,000 residents, then it should also contain five Bring-In-Sites. Clever, right?

But ERA’s ambitious efforts aren’t just about making Bring-In-Sites more accessible – rather, it seeks to inform the general public about how to use said sites properly.

As simple and user-friendly as Bring-In-Sites might be, a few innocent mistakes or misunderstandings are all it takes for ERA’s mission to be hindered.

Here are some things to keep in mind next time you pay your local Bring-In-Site a visit:

• Materials are to be deposited within the bins, not around them. Fines may be issued if materials are deposited outside the bins
• If the bins are full, return once they have been emptied or visit a different Bring-In-Site
• No black garbage bags are to be disposed of at Bring-In-Sites. They are to be left outside your front door to be picked up according to your village / town’s waste collection timetable
• The contents of grey and green bags may be separated at Bring-In-Sites, however they are not to be left outside the bins

If you’re looking to dispose of electronic waste, this can be done at any Civic Amenity Site or WEEE Bins around the islands. Construction waste is to be disposed of at a Civic Amenity Site. Similarly, bulky waste is to be disposed of at a Civic Amenity Site. Alternatively, you can call your local council to have your bulky waste picked up from your home.

Next time you’re about to dispose of your waste, double check to make sure you’re doing it correctly!