Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1506016
15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 AUGUST 2023 NEWS works for a village with a popu- lation of 500 people doesn't work for densely populated areas like Sliema, St Julian's, Swieqi, San Ġwann, Gżira, Bugibba and St Paul's Bay," Nationalist MP Eve Borg Bonello said. "In densely populated areas (which have been pointed out by the NSO, and also happen to be the areas suffering this issue) the system isn't keep- ing up; these localities need a more regular collection especial in summer peaks of tourism." Independent candidate Arnold Cassola, who lives in Sweiqi, la- belled the January reform "a flop". "We increased the country's population, with more than 300,000 tourists visiting the country during the summer months, and we reduced the number of times waste is col- lected; how does that make any sense?" Cassola said. Sliema mayor John Pillow slammed the people who drew up the new schedule saying they have no knowledge of the locali- ties' needs. "People who have no idea how the locality works and what its needs are drew up the system, while we had no kind of involve- ment in the process," he said. Other mayors also lamented their lack of involvement in the reform. "I am very frustrated. The au- thorities don't seem to listen, while the problems continue to pile up," Noel Muscat said. The way forward Questioned on what they think is the solution to the problems, all mayors said they want more ac- tive involvement by their respec- tive councils. "Councils have been complete- ly cut out of the system. If I must speak to the contractors for extra collections, I first have to speak with the regional council, which then makes contact with the col- lectors. It is such a long-drawn process," St Julian's mayor Guido Dalli said. Some also suggested councils be provided with a data base of the block administrators for eas- ier communication if problems arise. "If someone flags any illegalities, be it rubbish or anything else, and they know which apartment its coming from, we have no way of contacting the owner. I insist that councils should have an ac- tive role in all of this because as things stand, we are completely in the dark," Gzira mayor Conrad Borg Manche said. On whether fines should in- crease, not everyone agrees this is the way forward. The Gżira mayor for example said fines for littering should be increased drastically, but others like Casso- la insist the system should first be fixed before authorities start issu- ing fines. Nearly everyone this newspaper spoke agreed the affected locali- ties need a specialised schedule. "With all due respect, the waste generated by a locality like Safi and a locality like Sliema are a to- tally different ballgame, and the schedule needs to reflect that," Pillow said. Eve Borg Bonello said a one size fits all approach is not the way forward. "If someone lives alone and is working 14 hours a day to keep up with rising rent prices and is not at home one hour before col- lection time, they are left without any option other than leaving it out too early or too late, and con- sequently the garbage remains in the street for two-three days. Hence these areas with a high population density, which inci- dentally are touristic areas, need a more frequent collection. Ex- perts agree that this is the way forward," she said. Others like Dalli said authori- ties need to step up their enforce- ment and start playing an active role. "Authorities should not put in- competent people in charge of such important entities. We need competent people who take deci- sions without any fear," he said. "We need to start holding people responsible, or else the issue will only get worse." In a joint reply to questions made by this newspaper, the Cul- ture Ministry, which is also re- sponsible for local councils, and the Environment Ministry, re- sponsible for waste management, said there is broad agreement amongst the stakeholders that Malta should not go back to the previous waste collection system, because waste separation is a very important objective for the coun- try's sustainability. "It was also agreed the new sys- tem and national waste schedule performed well in many localities throughout the six regions and many households and businesses adapted seamlessly," the minis- tries said. "However, particular localities are facing increased waste bags that are taken out on the wrong day or at the wrong time, causing challenges in the cleanliness and upkeep of these areas. A common point raised by representatives of these localities is the presence of many short-let properties in these areas, with tenants who may not be aware of the waste schedule, and hence the need to support this sector to ensure compliance." They said the government is al- so seeking to consolidate the ef- forts of the different enforcement agencies so that intensified action is taken to stop defaulters, who are causing issues being faced by certain localities. "The Malta Police Force, Lesa and ERA are also committed to continue enforcing littering and illegal dumping regulations. The 3,600 fines and warnings issued for waste-related offences in the first seven months of the year are testament to this commitment," they said. "Waste management also is a collective responsibility and a duty of everyone, and the government will continue work- ing in this direction." Meanwhile, with no solutions in sight, residents and visitors in the impacted areas will have to contend with torn garbage bags strewn on the pavements and rats in plain sight feasting on the waste. Arnold Cassola Conrad Borg Manche Eve Borg Bonello Guido Dalli John Pillow Noel Muscat