This project aims to improve
waste management in Gozo by providing a controlled facility for the reception,
sorting, processing, interim storage and transfer of wastes originating from
Gozo and Comino.
The Material Recovery Facility
(MRF) within the project will aid in the sorting of wastes from Bring-In Sites
and the Grey Bag Scheme introduced for the door-to-door collection of separated
waste. This waste will be sorted into
three main fractions - plastics, paper and cardboard and metals. The sorting is planned to be achieved through
a semi-automated mechanical process. The
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) will be collected in the Transfer Station (TS)
where it will be compacted in hermetically sealed containers and transferred to
Malta for further treatment. Various other
waste fractions prohibited from being land filled, including tyres, shall be
retained separate and treated in line with prevailing obligations.
The project will contribute to
minimise the land filling of waste by primarily segregating the waste, and directed
for treatment. Also the efficient
compacting of the MSW will result in reducing the number of trip from Gozo to
Malta, thus achieving a reduction in both the operational costs and the carbon
footprint.
When fully operational, the
project will contribute in safeguarding the environment by collecting, treating
and disposing off solid wastes, while at the same, collecting and treating any
related emissions in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
The facility will also be increasing the recovery of materials for recycling of
the dry recyclables through the intervention of a Material Recovery Facility to
contribute towards meeting the set National targets.
Future plans include the
construction and setting up of a Mechanical Treatment Plant (MTP) adjacent to
this facility. This MTP will segregate
MSW into three fractions - organic wastes, light fraction and rejects).
Furthermore, a bulky waste, green
waste and contaminated inert waste treatment/sorting plant together with an
efficient loading for the transport of waste are also being considered for the
future.
On the 15the June 2015, Mr
Anthony Cachia, Director General of the Department of Contracts, was invited to
visit this project and other sites managed by Wasteserv in Gozo, accompanied by
the Mr Tonio Montebello and Perit Jean Luke Zarb, Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Projects Management of Wasteserv Malta Limited respectively.
While being shown around the
whole site of the new Waste Treatment and Transfer Facility project, and
informed about the whole set-up of the complex and the combined operations in
Gozo, Mr Cachia had the opportunity to appreciate the
works carried out so far and which are planned to be finalised by end of
November 2015.
It is important to point out that this project
would not have commenced and carried out according to the projected time
schedule, if it were not for the continued support of the members of staff
located in the various sections of the Department of Contracts, without whose
cooperation, this project would not have been achieved on time.