In the past few years Malta has witnessed
the introduction of mineral water in plastic bottles (previously
we drank tap water); milk in cartons (previously returnable
glass bottles were used); fruit juice in cartons (previously
these were bottled in glass); fast-food in non-biodegradable
containers; soft drinks in dispensers (which has increased
the use of disposable cups); and a proliferation of plastic
bags (previously we used cloth and wicker baskets). Only
resistance by environmentalists and certain bottlers has
prevented the introduction of soft drinks in plastic bottles.
Recent market research has shown that
the quantity of plastic mineral water bottles consumed annually
is in the region of 19 million. Some 36 million milk cartons
are also being consumed annually. If one adds to this the
fruit juice containers (12 million), plastic bags and other
plastic containers that are thrown away one begins to get
an idea of the extent of the waste problem on our islands.
Aluminium cans for beer, iced tea and sports drinks make
a contribution of 21 million units to our waste cycle.
Nearly all domestic and industrial waste
(including animals) ends up in two 'land fills' or tips,
one of which is in Malta and one on Gozo. The volume of
waste being produced has reached levels that can no longer
be handled within the present structure. The Maghtab dump
has grown far in excess of what was planned. The government
has looked into the idea of finding a suitable place for
a properly managed land fill, but nothing has yet been made
public. It is of important that a proper Environment Impact
Assessment is carried out on the proposed sites for managed
landfills.
At present much waste slowly self combusts
and toxic gases are emitted into the atmosphere. When PVC
(and most of our mineral water bottles, as well as many
others are made from PVC) is burned, dioxins are released
into the atmosphere, and recent US studies have shown that
dioxins are much more carcinogenic than previously thought.
Sludge from the land fills may be entering the sea at Wied
Fulija and Maghtab.
80% of household sewage is mainly released,
in its raw state, into the sea. Most is released at Wied
Ghammieq which has a 1km (often leaking) pipeline directing
the outflow away from inner coastal areas; other outflows
are at Anchor bay, Ic-Cumnija and at San Blas and Mgarr
ix-Xini in Gozo.
The relatively new Sant' Antnin sewage
treatment plant receives some of the Island's organic waste
for composting.
Moviment ghall-Ambjent has been instrumental
in the introduction of a very successful scheme to separately
collect batteries thereby removing them from the waste cycle.
