30 AUGUST 2012The Times of India
Malta criticised for failure in recycling sytem
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
2 min read
European Commission criticism of Malta regarding waste management confirms that the recycling system is failing. If no real action is taken the result will be the construction of more incinerators across the country.
The current system used by the private sector to collect waste generated through packaging is a positive measure. But a major part of the problem of waste generation is linked to the commercial sector, the leading producer of waste.
The current system is unsustainable, as millions of plastic, tin and glass containers are placed on the market, and a substantial part of this material is not collected by the business sector.
The government should directly regulate this activity.
On the other hand, the incentives schemes to encourage consumers to dispose of waste sustainably are weak. Authorities should introduce incentives to reward change.
The authorities must consider schemes applied in other countries, such as the collection of aluminium beverage cans (52 billion are produced per year in Europe) in specific vending machines, where consumers are compensated for the amount of cans deposited.
Aluminum is one of the easiest materials to recycle profitably. This scheme should be the responsibility of the commercial sector.
The authorities, together with the local councils should reintroduce the scheme to provide families with free recycling bags. Incentives should also be applied to promote the system of refills, when selling liquid soaps, detergents, and so on. These measures can all be introduced and operated easily.
The current system used by the private sector to collect waste generated through packaging is a positive measure. But a major part of the problem of waste generation is linked to the commercial sector, the leading producer of waste.
The current system is unsustainable, as millions of plastic, tin and glass containers are placed on the market, and a substantial part of this material is not collected by the business sector.
The government should directly regulate this activity.
On the other hand, the incentives schemes to encourage consumers to dispose of waste sustainably are weak. Authorities should introduce incentives to reward change.
The authorities must consider schemes applied in other countries, such as the collection of aluminium beverage cans (52 billion are produced per year in Europe) in specific vending machines, where consumers are compensated for the amount of cans deposited.
Aluminum is one of the easiest materials to recycle profitably. This scheme should be the responsibility of the commercial sector.
The authorities, together with the local councils should reintroduce the scheme to provide families with free recycling bags. Incentives should also be applied to promote the system of refills, when selling liquid soaps, detergents, and so on. These measures can all be introduced and operated easily.
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