Residents of the Islands of Malta have been supported to reduce landfilling and to increase recycling through SortItOut. The project funded equipment for households to separate organic, glass, recyclables, residual and sanitary waste for smarter processing. Facilities were set up for separate collection of other recyclable or harmful materials and an education campaign taught the public, especially children, how to use them. People are now more aware of how waste is reused and are separating it for a more sustainable, circular economy.
Waste separation and recycling project supports Malta residents to SortItOut
- 27 October 2021
‘This project sought to increase recycling and to divert organic waste from landfill by providing facilities for waste separation at source. A strong educational campaign enhanced residents’ awareness and stimulated a shift towards sustainable waste management.’
Media campaigns, guidance from Malta’s waste-management company WasteServ, and school activities shared information on why and how to dispose of separated waste. Households received ventilated bins and compostable bin liners for organic waste and colour-coded containers for other waste.
Pharmacies have dedicated bins to collect old medicines for safe disposal, while specialised trucks collect separated waste streams monthly, visiting every locality in Malta and Gozo. The project has led to a steep increase in waste segregation and upgrades to waste-processing equipment to boost recycling.
Home-sorting equipment
The bins supplied to households were also offered to micro-businesses, NGOs, educational institutions and residential homes. Sets of four colour-coded stackable bins were distributed to help residents pre-sort mixed waste (paper, carton, plastic and metal), glass, sanitary waste, and mixed waste.
To make collection convenient, WasteServ bought five trucks with compartments for various waste streams such as cooking oil, plastic, textiles and glass that visit all localities once a month.
The equipment was backed by an information campaign on TV, radio, print and social media, billboards, brochures, and buses. WasteServ representatives were on hand for one-to-one advice on responsible waste disposal.
Sustainable momentum
Lockable bins delivered to pharmacies gave households a safe way to dispose of expired medicines. This measure is expected to help to save EUR 50 000 of wastewater treatment costs each year.
From the start of the SortItOut campaign in October 2018 to December 2021, over 81 600 tonnes of organic waste were collected, more other waste is being recycled, and households are generating less unsorted waste. Waste-separation equipment is being upgraded to increase the dry waste processed for recycling from 550 tonnes to 700 tonnes per week.
WasteServ is building on this momentum for a more circular economy with plans for four Reuse Centres offering used and ‘pre-loved’ items and an interactive education centre to teach children about waste management.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project 'SortItOut' is EUR 9 955 937, with the EU’s Cohesion Fund contributing EUR 6 901 254 through the 'Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges' Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority 'Investing in a more environmentally friendly society'.