English Version :
Organic waste as a source of clean energy: Launch of pilot project to increase organic waste collection from catering establishments
As part of a new pilot project, from Saturday 7th May catering establishments will be further encouraged to separate their waste, particularly organic waste. Through this initiative, organic waste collection will take place on Saturday and Sunday between 1.00am and 5.00am.
This initiative was announced by Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli together with Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo and Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli.
The project is led by the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise with the cooperation of the Local Council Association, as part of the Long-Term Waste Management Plan 2021-2030.
To benefit from this service, catering establishments, including restaurants and snack bars, are to simply take out their separated organic waste in transparent waste bags or in labelled bins on their kerbside according to the time indicated to them. It is important that organic waste is separated accordingly to avoid contamination.
Catering establishments were advised earlier this week, through an official letter issued by the Malta Tourism Authority, notifying them about the initiative which is free of charge. The aim is to increase the recycling rate in Malta, whilst the separated organic waste will be used as a source of clean energy.
Minister Miriam Dalli explained that this initiative is being offered at no charge to further incentivise the separation of organic waste from catering establishments. Catering establishments generate considerable amount of organic waste when compared to households.
“The pilot project will help decrease mixed waste, whilst organic waste will be used to generate clean energy. At the same time, the commercial sector will be contributing towards the national targets of recycled waste,” said Minister Miriam Dalli.
This initiative will further facilitate the transition of catering establishments towards obligatory separation of waste.
Local Council Association President Mario Fava said that “Organic waste is a source, and we are aware that waste is a challenge that can be turned into an opportunity. The Local Councils Association, together with the regional and local councils, are catalysts and an important tool as it takes the country’s effort to bring this change about.”
Maltese Version :
Skart organiku bħala sors ta’ enerġija nadifa: Jitħabbar proġett pilota biex jiżdied il-ġbir ta’ skart organiku minn stabbilimenti tal-ikel
Minn nhar is-Sibt, 7 ta’ Mejju, se jingħata bidu għal proġett pilota li permezz tiegħu aktar stabbilimenti tal-ikel jiġu mħeġġa jisseparaw l-iskart tagħhom, partikolarment dak organiku. Permezz ta’ din l-inizjattiva, il-ġbir se jkun qed isir nhar ta’ Sibt u Ħadd, bejn is-1.00am u l-5.00am
Dan ħabbritu l-Ministru għall-Ambjent, l-Enerġija u l-Intrapriża Miriam Dalli flimkien mal-Ministru għat- Turiżmu Clayton Bartolo u s-Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Gvern Lokali Alison Zerafa Civelli.
Il-proġett huwa mmexxi mill-Ministeru għall-Ambjent, l-Enerġija u l-Intrapriża bil-kooperazzjoni tal- Assoċjazzjoni tal-Kunsilli Lokali, u jagħmel parti mill-implimentazzjoni tal-Long-Term Waste Management Plan 2021-2030.
Stabbilimenti tal-ikel, inklużi ristoranti u snack bars, li se jibbenefikaw minn dan is-servizz jeħtieġu li jisseparaw l-iskart organiku tagħhom f’boroż trasparenti jew ipoġġuh f’bins bit-tabella, u jħalluh barra fuq il-bankina tagħhom fil-ħin indikat lilhom. Għalhekk huwa importanti li l-iskart organiku jiġi sseparat kif inhu meħtieġ biex tiġi evitata kontaminazzjoni.
Aktar kmieni din il-ġimgħa ntbagħtet ittra uffiċjali lill-istabbilimenti kummerċjali kollha mill-Awtorità Maltija għat-Turiżmu biex tinfurmahom dwar din l-inizjattiva li l-għan tagħha huwa li jiżdiedu r-rati tar-riċiklaġġ f’pajjiżna. Dan għaliex ir-riċiklaġġ tal-iskart organiku jgħin sabiex tiġi ġġenerata lura enerġija nadifa.
Il-Ministru Miriam Dalli spjegat li din l-inizjattiva qiegħda tiġi offruta bla ħlas biex tinċentiva s-separazzjoni tal- iskart organiku minn stabbilimenti tal-ikel. Dawn l-istabbilimenti jiġġeneraw kwantitajiet konsiderevoli ta’ skart organiku meta mqabbla mad-djar.
“B’dan il-proġett pilota nistennew li se jkun qed jonqos l-ammont ta’ skart mħallat, fejn dan l-iskart organiku se jkun qed jinbidel f’enerġija nadifa. Fl-istess ħin, is-settur kummerċjali se jkun qed jikkontribwixxi biex Malta tilħaq il-miri ta’ riċiklaġġ tal-iskart”, qalet il-Ministru Miriam Dalli.
Din l-inizjattiva se tiffaċilita t-tranżizzjoni għall-istabbilimenti tal-catering lejn separazzjoni obbligatorja tal-iskart.
Il-President tal-Assoċjazzjoni tal-Kunsilli Lokali Mario Fava qal li, “L-iskart organiku huwa riżorsa u allura qed nifhmu li din hija sfida li rridu ndawruha f’opportunità. L-Assoċjazzjoni tal-Kunsilli Lokali flimkien mal-kunsilli reġjonali u lokali huma katalisti u għodda importanti f’din il-bidla li rridu nagħmlu bħala pajjiż ilkoll flimkien.”