Works on the new waste management facility at the ECOHIVE Complex in Magħtab, has reached its final stages. This facility will be able to process up to 40,000 tonnes of recyclable waste, and as from next year, recyclable waste will no longer be processed at WasteServ’s facility in Marsascala.
As announced in Budget 2023, as soon as the processing of the grey and green bags stops at the Sant’Antnin facility, 20,000m2 of land will be transformed into another open area for families.
Miriam Dalli, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise, and Chris Bonett, Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds, visited the ongoing works at this Magħtab facility, along with WasteServ CEO Richard Bilocca.
During this visit, Minister Miriam Dalli stated that the investment in the new facility amounts to around €4 million, which consists of equipment and other civil works. Minister Dalli highlighted that this investment shows the government’s commitment towards the waste management sector. Through this facility, it will be possible for 20,000m2 of land to be transformed into green space for the public.
“This is another step forward as part of the government’s long-term plan for the years to come, by recycling, converting waste into energy, and treating all the waste produced, in order to drastically reduce the use of landfills”, stated Minister Dalli.
Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett stated that “this is another project being partially financed by the European Union whereby it will help strengthen the circular economy and continue to give priority to the environmental sector. The investment that is being made is not only in line with national and European policy but also forms part of the initiatives being taken by WasteServ”.
WasteServ CEO Richard Bilocca explained that this facility will sort the different types of metal, cardboard, and plastic using specially designed machinery that will do this process automatically. This material will then be baled so that it can be placed on the market as part of the circular economy. Through this facility, WasteServ will be increasing the processing efficiency of these materials from 30% to 70%, given that they will no longer be separated manually.
This project, which is being partially financed by the European Union as part of the Cohesion Fund, will build on the €500 million investment in the ECOHIVE project and will allow Malta to continue moving towards a circular economy approach with all waste being turned into resources. As part of this project, next year WasteServ will develop an organic processing plant with an investment of €50 million, which is also a Budget 2023 measure.
