SEPARATING YOUR WASTE IS AN OBLIGATION IN MALTA

With limited resources and land, separating waste at source helps us to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or that is improperly disposed of. Properly separating waste enables more effective recycling, reducing the need for new raw materials and decreasing the environmental impact of waste disposal and landfills. As of Friday 14th April 2023, Malta introduced new regulations enforcing mandatory waste separation for all.

The regulations are applicable to everyone, including businesses, households, governmental and nongovernmental entities, and follow a nation-wide public consultation held last year.

In a bid to raise awareness on the importance of waste separation, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has embarked on a six-month educational campaign. In parallel, during these six months, enforcement officials will monitor the streets to ensure adherence to the regulations. Then, as of 14th October 2023, fines will also come into force. Anyone caught disposing of waste illegally will receive a warning. Repeat offenders will face fines, starting at €75 for businesses and €25 for households. These will double for repeat offenders.

These regulations step up Malta’s efforts in creating a stronger policy to promote more waste recycling and to drastically reduce mixed waste to landfills by 2035. Adherence to the regulations will also help improve cleanliness in residential areas and commercial districts, and discourage irregular dumping of waste bags in public areas.

Similarly, these regulations seek to support Malta’s efforts in reducing the use of landfills. Currently, 90 per cent of Malta’s municipal waste ends up in landfills, against the 2035 target of 10 per cent.

So, whether you are here for a longer stay, or just on holiday, the Environment and Resources Authority encourages everyone to do their part and dispose of waste properly: separation is easy.

For more information visit wastecollection.mt