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
The Maltese Islands ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop – 9 th October 2014 Location Central Mediterranean Population 420,000 + Area 316km² Population Density 1,562km ² Municipalities 68
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 Number of permitted waste management facilities 40+ ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop – 9th October 2014
` Separate Collection Systems for Dry Recyclables from Municipalities in the Maltese Islands ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop – 9th October 2014
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
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
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
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
Pilfering from Bring In Banks of Scheme ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop – 9th October 2014
Pilfering from Municipality D2D Collections ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop – 9th October 2014
Effect on recovery of packaging in municipality ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop – 9th October 2014
Pilfering from Municipality Commercial Sector ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop – 9th October 2014
Pilfering from Industrial Sector ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop – 9th October 2014
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
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
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
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
Daniel Tabone BA (Hons) MSc Waste Mngt (TUoN-UK) Senior Operations Manager GreenPak COOP Society ISWA / RDN / EXPRA Workshop – 9th October 2014