WasteServ continues to invest in new facilities to reduce landfill waste, as part of the circular economy, with the construction of a new Multi-Material Recovery Facility through an investment of over €20 million, out of which €16.9 million are financed with European funds. 

This new facility will be receiving bulky waste such as tires, wood, mattresses, and flat glass, as well as electronic waste (WEEE). These will be processed in order to reduce their volume to ensure adequate storage that takes up as little space as possible before they can be exported for recycling or to generate energy.

This was announced by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi who visited the ongoing works in Ħal Far with WasteServ CEO Richard Bilocca.

Minister Aaron Farrugia said that this is another step that this Government is taking as part of its strategy to move towards a sustainable and circular economy, diverting waste away from landfills. Minister Farrugia explained how this facility will be processing around 10,000 tons of waste per year. Thus, this project will lead to sustainable waste management by saving space from the landfill, increasing the country’s recycling rates, and improving the country’s environmental performance.

“The economy of the future is a circular and sustainable one. We need to keep a balance with our environment and address our vulnerabilities. With circular production and consumption, we can create a strong and resilient economy. At the same time, we need to boost our ecological transition, and the work being done on waste management infrastructure is part of our plan towards this aim,” Minister Farrugia said. 

Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that with the investment of €16.9 million in European funds, the Multi-Material Recovery Facility will help the management of waster better. He explained that this facility will receive waste such as wood, mattresses, glass, gypsum and tyres which by 2029 is expected to amount to 20,000 tons of waste. Parliamentary Secretary Zrinzo Azzopardi stated that with European funds we are strengthening a circular economy which prioritises the environment.

The Parliamentary Secretary concluded by saying that this facility will ensure that our environmental objectives to recycle more and reduce the use of landfills will be reached, whilst ensuring no environmental impact is felt on the surrounding area.

WasteServ CEO Richard Bilocca said that all materials entering this facility will be processed in conformity with strict specifications to increase the value of the materials and ensure that they can be exported efficiently and profitably.

WasteServ Chairperson Prof Frank Bezzina opined that while this project will help to reduce reliance on landfill, and provide better monetary value for recyclables, we should all do our utmost to reduce waste generated in our households, offices, and factories. 

This project will be completed by November 2021 and is part-financed by the European Union Cohesion Fund.