Separate Collection Systems in the Maltese Islands
Opportunities & Barriers encountered by GreenPak ISWA / RDN /
EXPRA Workshop Novotel Bucharest City Center, Romania 9 th October
2014
Slide 2
The Maltese Islands ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop 9 th October
2014 Location Central Mediterranean Population 420,000 + Area 316km
Population Density 1,562km Municipalities 68
Slide 3
The Maltese Islands Waste Management Annual MSW Generation
250,000 tonnes Estimated packaging on the market 90,000 tonnes
Number of registered waste carrier vehicles 3000+ Number of
permitted waste management facilities 40+ ISWA / RDN / EXPRA
Workshop 9th October 2014
Slide 4
` Separate Collection Systems for Dry Recyclables from
Municipalities in the Maltese Islands ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop
9th October 2014
Slide 5
Opportunities Introduction of separate collection systems has
resulted in an increase in local green jobs: Compliance Schemes
Collection Service Waste Management Facilities Malta has a high
landfilling rate (87%). Separate collections has contributed to
reduction in landfilling rates Introduction of separate collections
has increased awareness and civic sense amongst the local
population ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop 9th October 2014
Slide 6
Barriers Low landfill fees No local market for recycled
materials or products Households do not pay any fees for waste
management Malta relies heavily on export for final recycling ISWA
/ RDN / EXPRA Workshop 9th October 2014
Slide 7
Barriers Lack of enforcement on producer responsibility
Directives 60% of all packaging placed on the market not registered
Competition at scheme level hinders: Running of national
information campaigns Cost effective collection operations in
municipalities Regulation and control by authorities due to
fragmentation ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop 9th October 2014
Slide 8
Barriers Lack of enforcement on permitted waste management
facilities Waste management facilities competing for limited
material Weak legal framework to protect legitimate operators
Cherry picking by certain operators Pilfering (stealing) from
separate collection systems operated by the scheme ISWA / RDN /
EXPRA Workshop 9th October 2014
Slide 9
Pilfering from Bring In Banks of Scheme ISWA / RDN / EXPRA
Workshop 9th October 2014
Slide 10
Pilfering from Municipality D2D Collections ISWA / RDN / EXPRA
Workshop 9th October 2014
Slide 11
Effect on recovery of packaging in municipality ISWA / RDN /
EXPRA Workshop 9th October 2014
Slide 12
Pilfering from Municipality Commercial Sector ISWA / RDN /
EXPRA Workshop 9th October 2014
Slide 13
Pilfering from Industrial Sector ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop
9th October 2014
Slide 14
Who is behind this pilferage? The people behind this activity
are: Permitted Waste Carriers Permitted Waste Management Facilities
Individual Citizens The targeted materials: Cardboard Metals Glass
ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop 9th October 2014
Slide 15
Legal Framework GreenPak has taken culprits to court accusing
them of theft and financial damages However the court rejected our
claims: Could not quantify exact weight stolen hence exact value
could not be established Could not demonstrate ownership of
material despite contracted by municipality ISWA / RDN / EXPRA
Workshop 9th October 2014
Slide 16
Mitigation by GreenPak When GreenPak identifies pilfering the
following action is taken: Report issue to police Report to
Regulator Consult with our legal team on course of action GreenPak
is continuously pressuring Regulator to strengthen legal framework.
ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop 9th October 2014
Slide 17
Conclusion Competition at all levels leads to many different
players which the Regulator is unable to regulate and control
Pilferage and scavenging is a growing problem for the efficiency of
the Scheme No strong legal framework to protect legitimate
operators Action by GreenPak is being taken to mitigate effect of
this unauthorized activity ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop 9th October
2014
Slide 18
Daniel Tabone BA (Hons) MSc Waste Mngt (TUoN-UK) Senior
Operations Manager GreenPak COOP Society [email protected]
ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop 9th October 2014