NEWS | Wednesday, 28 January 2009

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A mass clean-up of derelict sites across Malta and Gozo has resulted in over 240 tonnes of scrap metal being collected across various towns.
The initiative has been launched across 32 localities in Malta and Gozo, with 204 new sites already identified for clean-up.
The Direct Action Operation was coordinated by the parliamentary secretariat for public consultation and information, in collaboration with the ministry of resources and rural affairs, MEPA, local councils, police and local wardens.
Councils submitted photos and site-plans of derelict sites and similar dumping grounds in their towns and countryside areas. A task force was then assigned with the job of contracting firms to collect the refuse and store it, before it is taken for recycling.
Call letters and enforcement notices were issued by MEPA to inform the owners of the derelict sites to take action before government actively takes control of the area. The expenses of the operation will also be offset against any revenue made from the exportation of the waste metal for recycling.
The government said many landowners actually took the initiative to clean up their sites and sell off any recyclable waste.
Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said said this exercise had an ambitious but a realistic target. “The large amount of waste that littered the countryside and towns must not only be removed, but also reap an economic benefit to those who clean up their land.”
He said government was sending a clear message that collective action was being taken to clean up the island. More work is expected to take place within the next four months.
In Mellieha, where the pilot project was launched, 30 sites out of 41 identified were cleaned up by the site owners themselves. The other sites were cleaned by the task force, in some cases with the cooperation of the landowners. Some 200 tonnes of waste were collected by the owners themselves, while the task force has collected over 40 tonnes. The public cleansing department collected over 25 tonnes.
In Zurrieq, 32 sites out of 36 were cleaned up after MEPA issued a call letter, and in Gozo, work is under way in Xaghra, Qala and Nadur.
The public was called upon to contribute to the effort by reporting derelict areas where metal scrap and old cars had been dumped, to their local councils or calling 23605104 or freephone 80076608, or email pdi.opm@gov.mt.

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