We all know the environment is a priority, contributing not only to our mental and physical health, but also to our future on this planet. Unfortunately, large quantities of recyclables which could be easily turned into valuable resources are still finding their way to landfills due to incorrect separation. This is a significant impediment towards Malta’s ambition to establish a true circular economy, which would benefit the whole of society.
The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) holds these values to heart and, over the past weeks, has invited the public to give their views on mandatory separation which shall become obligatory for everyone – and that means everyone! That means your grandmother, your dad, your friends, the institutions, all businesses, schools, foundations and NGOs.
So far – surprisingly! – there is no legal obligation to separate your waste. Many of us do this out of a willingness to ensure a healthy future for our communities. It’s a responsibility which shouldn’t be taken lightly. The ERA knows that, at the moment, many are simply throwing their rubbish in black bags, since, let’s be honest, sometimes you just don’t feel like washing out that yoghurt pot.
However, the Waste Management Plan for Malta 2021-2030 identifies the necessity of mandatory waste separation in our efforts to recycle, and to reduce the amount of trash which ends up in unsightly landfills. Reduce, reuse and recycle is not just a slogan!
The first phase of the enforcement of mandatory waste separation will include educational campaigns so we can all start to pull the same rope, preventing the dumping of recyclable waste in the wrong bag.
The details of what ERA is proposing will be split into two legal notices. The first legal notice will amend the Waste Regulations (S.L. 549.63), such that separating waste at source prior to the garbage being collected becomes the legal duty of each and every one of us. The following are the proposals:
- The waste will need to be separated into paper, metal, plastic, glass, bio-waste, and any other waste stream as determined by the Minister. However, certain recyclables could still be co-mingled in line with door-to-door collection systems in place (i.e. the green and grey bag).
- This will be applicable to EVERYONE – including households, businesses, government buildings, and so on, and regardless of whether waste is generated at home, at work, or in public places.
- 3. For waste generated in public places, such as at beaches, and on the streets, this new obligation will apply only where relevant bins for the separate collection are available to the public.
The second legal notice will amend the Abandonment, Dumping and Disposal of Waste in Streets and Public Places of Areas Regulations (S.L. 549.40), so that other entities besides ERA (e.g. LESA) can enforce this new obligation.
It’s vital to remain aware of these obligations – for our good, and the good of our society. So, to ensure everyone pulls together, the legal notice also suggest a system of fines, geared towards educating the general public. The thought behind these is not punitive or harsh – rather, they aim to remind people of their obligation, so the changes become part of our day-to-day habits.
The fines suggested are staggered. A warning will be given after the first contravention, but from the second one on, a penalty will be issued: for non-commercial establishment, this will be €25 at first, with all other contraventions punishable through a fine of €50; for commercial establishments, these rise to €75 and €150, respectively.
And, this will be accompanied by a shift in the types of bags used, from the black bags we’re all familiar with, to more see-through versions, which will allow enforcement officers to ensure the rules are being respected.
Let’s all do our part – let’s recycle and pass the message on about the changes proposed. It’s all our of our responsibility to keep our country clean.