Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1508267
Hague? And above all: where is the drive, among EU and NATO countries, to 'stop buying oil from' - or, for that matter, 'selling weapons to' - coun- tries like Saudi Arabia? Or even Libya, until only a few years ago... because everyone seems to have forgotten the time, throughout the 1980s and 1990s, when several EU member states (including Malta) were just as depend- ent on Libyan oil, as some are on Russian gas today.... ... yet it never seemed to bother anyone, when – under Muammar Gaddafi – Libya invaded its long-suffering neighbour, Chad: not once; not twice; not three times... but FOUR (4) times, between 1978 and 1987! Funny, isn't it, how we nev- er seemed to care very much, about how many 'wars' our business partners were in- volved in, when deciding to buy fuel from them (until, of course, they suddenly decide to start an illegal war... with- out our own 'permission'?) But that only brings us to that 'latest twist' I mentioned earlier. In her mad scramble to somehow disentangle the EU, from the clutches of 'Big Bad Mother Russia': Com- mission President Ursula von der Leyen – just like Joseph Muscat before her - flew hur- riedly to Azerbaijan, to sign a Memorandum of Under- standing with that country's dicta... I mean 'Great Lead- er', Ilham Aliyev (whom she even described as a 'reliable EU partner', no less!) Well, guess what? This week, the EU's latest 'relia- ble partner' did something some of you might find vaguely familiar. On Tues- day 19 September, Azer- baijan announced a "major new military offensive" in the breakaway region of Na- gorno-Karabakh – which (not unlike Ukraine) re- mains contested territory, following decades of post- USSR tensions, culminating in an all-out war between Azerbaijan and Armenia back in 2020. At the time of writing, the latest 'offensive' appears to already be over: it seems that (unlike Ukraine, this time) the Armenian forces at Na- gorno-Karabakh were com- pletely overwhelmed, by a lightning incursion that left 200 dead (including 10 civil- ians: five of them children) and over 400 wounded... and have already surrendered. Nonetheless, we are still talking about a unilater- al annexation of territo- ry, through military force, without the blessing of any United Nations resolution; and much more seriously, the Azerbaijani regime has already announced plans to 'evacuate' Armenian citi- zens, from what it now con- siders to be its own territory. And not only has this 'sparked fears of ethnic cleansing' – fears which, alas, have proven only too justified in that region, not so long ago – but the forced evacuation itself constitutes a clear, direct 'war crime', according to the Geneva Convention. So, erm... what is Ursula von der Leyen going to do, now that her 'reliable part- ner' has likewise turned out to be a 'war criminal'? Will she tear up that MoU she signed with Ilham Aliyev, in June 2022? Will she call for immediate sanctions against Azerbaijan? And will the European Commission pass overnight legislation, empowering EU member states to simply 'strip private citizens of their personal wealth, and assets'... because they just happen to be Azeri nationals? Or is that something we only ever do, when the ag- gressor is Russia; and the victim, a potential future member of the EU? I just thought I'd ask, be- cause: it's all getting very confusing, you know... FROM doubters to dreamers, the Beverage Con- tainer Refund Scheme (BCRS) has defied expec- tations by recycling a whopping 100 million con- tainers in just over seven months since its launch. This success story is a testament to the power of collective action and a greener vision for our island. However, while strides have been made, it's clear we must reevaluate our approach to a nationwide waste collection system to truly elevate our com- munities and environments. In our fair islands, while the waste collection system originally seemed like a good idea, it is clear that there are discrepancies. This has put a damper on our locality's charm and beauty, af- fecting not only our mood but also the well-be- ing of our inhabitants. The issues of uncollected garbage, pest problems, the stench of organic waste left in the sun, and the lack of cohesion in garbage disposal have become painfully ev- ident, especially during the scorching summer heatwaves we experienced this year. The excessive amount of rubbish on the streets outside of designated collection days is now a na- tional emergency. Above all, it is because of these issues that our towns and cities' aesthetics are suf- fering. It's disheartening to witness dirty streets, garbage scattered every- where, the occasional pest or two, and persistent stench, especially during the summer days when the organic waste makes things worse. This also impacts our country's im- age. Considering our reli- ance on the tourist indus- try, how can we effectively promote our country with all this clutter and disruptions that tarnish its beautiful image? Malta is like a rough ore that desperately needs polishing to reveal its true beauty. It's high time for action from the authorities to address these waste collection issues and restore the charm and cleanliness that define our beloved islands Sliema Mayor John Pillow has already suggest- ed several measures, and we at Volt would like to propose an additional, long-term solution. We believe that creating designated areas with- in our communities for underground refuse sys- tems can help tackle this issue effectively for the long term. Underground Refuse Bins In our bustling towns and cities, the issue of waste management has reached a critical junc- ture. Overflowing dumpsters, unsightly trash heaps, and the constant struggle to keep our streets clean have become the norm. It's time for a transformative solution: underground re- fuse bins. Urbanisation is on the rise, and with it, the generation of municipal waste has soared to un- precedented heights. Traditional waste disposal methods are no longer adequate, leading to en- vironmental pollution, health hazards, aesthetic depreciation, and an overall decline in the qual- ity of urban life. The underground refuse bins are a game-changing solution to address the long-term waste problems faced by mass urban localities. Underground refuse bins offer a dis- creet, space-saving, and eco-friendly solution to these pressing challenges. Although the initial investment may seem sub- stantial, it should be viewed as an investment in a smarter, more sustainable future. These innovative systems reshape urban waste man- agement, offering discreet and cost-effective solutions that significantly cut expenses by re- ducing collection frequency and maintenance requirements. Excelling in space efficiency, con- cealing waste in subterranean chambers to de- clutter our urban spaces. This, in turn, liberates precious surface areas for pedestrian zones while el- evating aesthetics by con- cealing unsightly litter. These systems prioritise hygiene and odor control, effectively deterring pests and promoting healthier living environments. It's out of sight, out of mind - this is the future waste collection, a brighter, more efficient tomorrow for us all. What's more, they con- tribute to the well-being and environmental sus- tainability of our com- munities by providing separate compartments for recycling and general waste, thereby reduc- ing contamination and fostering sustainability practices. Lastly, they are automated collection systems, reducing both fuel consumption and emissions, making it an all rounded climate friendlier solution. In its drive towards a circular economy, Eu- rope mandates ambitious recycling and landfill reduction targets. By 2025, the EU-27 aims to have 55% of municipal waste and 65% of packag- ing waste ready for re-use or recycling. The time has come for us to play our part thoughtfully and energetically, spearheading this transfor- mation in the Mediterranean. Through innova- tive waste collection and sustainable practices, we pave the way for a brighter, greener future. Underground refuse bins represent a vital step in addressing long-term waste issues, promising cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable locali- ties for generations to come - an idea worth dig- ging into. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 SEPTEMBER 2023 OPINION 11 Matthias Iannis Portelli Matthias Iannis Portelli is Vice President of Volt Malta Turning waste into wealth - Malta's journey towards a cleaner, greener, future Traditional waste disposal methods are no longer adequate, leading to environmental pollution, health hazards, aesthetic depreciation, and an overall decline in the quality of urban life