1. Background
The
Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning has developed a Waste
Management Plan for the Maltese Islands 2021-2030, as mandated under the
European Union Waste Framework Directive and as transposed in local legislation.
As a backdrop, it must be noted that Malta’s annual municipal waste generated
per capita is currently higher than most EU countries, at an average of 640kg[1]. Landfilling is still the predominant
waste treatment option and our recycling rate is the lowest amongst EU Member
States[2]. The new Waste Package places even more
onerous targets on Malta in terms of the amount of waste which has to be
recycled, that which is allowed to landfill as well as specific targets related
to the recycling of certain materials not least paper, plastic, metal, glass
and wood. The status quo is not an
option Waste prevention and improved management is not only a central aspect in
supporting Malta’s transition towards a resource efficient and circular
economy, but also in reducing pressure on Malta’s waste logistics and
infrastructure and our dependence on either exporting waste or landfilling
where land availability for such purpose is limited.
Through
the Waste Management Plan, the Ministry’s strategic objectives are to:
- Maximise the resource
value in waste through different management options
- Innovate by designing
waste prevention initiatives to lower Malta’s per capita generation rate
- Reform the collection
system to increase economies of scale, harmonise collection practices and
modernise the collection fleet
- Build the necessary waste management
facilities to treat recyclable, organic and residual waste to achieve
Malta’s targets
- Study the feasibility of an enhanced
producer responsibility framework to complement Malta’s transition to a
circular economy and reflect further on the true cost of waste management
- Promote further the
involvement of the private sector in waste management
The
Waste Management Plan sets out a number of key priority areas that are, aligned
with the strategic objectives in order to ensure a robust and effective waste
governance framework. An overview of Malta’s obligations under the European
Union waste Directives is provided, as well as an update on where we stand
today. In bridging the gap between Malta’s current performance and the 2030
waste targets, a suite of ambitious measures is outlined in the Plan,
structured as follows:
Waste
Prevention as a Priority: The first key priority area is Malta’s
Waste Prevention Programme. The overall aim is to promote resource efficiency
and entice waste generators to minimize their waste arisings by creating a
conducive landscape. This Chapter proposes a range of measures to incentivise
greener business processes and prompt societal change towards smarter
consumption patterns.
Waste
Collection Reform: For waste which is unpreventable, efficient
collection systems must be in place. The Waste Collection chapter outlines
measures which balance the collection frequencies of different waste streams to
encourage source separation and the minimization of residual waste. The chapter
also sets out to reform waste collection services by moving towards a
regionalised approach leading to increased economies of scale, and better
utilization of a modern vehicle fleet thus optimising investment costs.
Waste
Management and Resource Optimisation: In order to support
Malta’s transition to a more resource efficient and circular economy, we must
ensure that any waste generated is efficiently and effectively treated in order
to minimise its environmental footprint whilst maximising its potential as a
resource. This will be achieved through:
1) improving
existing extended producer responsibility frameworks to establish a level
playing field and to ensure that waste management costs are borne by producers.
The feasibility of expanding EPR obligations to additional waste streams will
be assessed;
2) implementing
measures to incentivise waste prevention, harness source separation and reduce
residual waste volumes from commercial entities and;
3) investing
in both new and existing waste management facilities to ensure a modern and
efficient waste infrastructure that not only meets Malta’s current needs but
will set in place the required treatment facilities for the future.
Differentiated gate fees to reflect the true cost of the different fractions of
waste and induce further waste separation will be considered.
In
order to support the implementation of these initiatives, this Plan also puts
forward a series of improvements to the monitoring, compliance and data
management capabilities, largely based on strengthening capacity building
including technological capacity.
The Ministry for the
Environment, Climate Change and Planning will collaborate with a range of
stakeholders in order to foster a culture of resource efficiency, create new
business opportunities, invest heavily in necessary infrastructure and support
voluntary initiatives which promote the prevention and sustainable management
of waste. We will engage with stakeholders, and collaborate across the public
and private sectors to work together to make a difference and instill a culture
of change that promotes waste prevention and sustainable waste management. New
measures will include economic instruments, awareness-raising campaigns, new
regulations, research and innovation and various other policy tools in order to
incentivise waste prevention, source separation and correct management of waste
generated on the Maltese Islands. The initiatives outlined in this Waste
Management Plan will facilitate action by industry, government, citizens and
tourists. This implies the need for a collaborative approach from all those who
generate waste in their personal, professional or corporate capacity and the
assumption of responsibility for the management thereof. The proposed measures
are intended to steer Malta towards reaching its EU obligations, reduce
dependency on landfilling and export of waste, and transition Malta to a more
resource efficient and circular economy. This for the benefit of Maltese
society as a whole.
2. Consultation Questions
In
line with Article 31 of the Waste Regulations
(S.L.549.63),
the public is invited to make submissions with their comments in relation to the policy measures outlined in the Long Term Waste
Management Plan 2021-2030.
As part of the public consultation
phase, an online session is being held on Tuesday, January 12 at 14:00.
3. Documents
4. Submission of input
We thank you in advance for your input.