The Cleaning and Maintenance Division successfully resolved 96% of all cases received last year.
This was announced by the Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Public Cleanliness, Miriam Dalli, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Public Cleanliness, Glenn Bedingfield, during a press conference.
This achievement reflects the result of a significant €11 million invested in new machinery throughout 2024, as well as the continuous dedication of the staff at the Cleansing and Maintenance Division (CMD).
Throughout 2024, the CMD received 20,218 reports from citizens and public entities, all related to littering and maintenance issues in various localities. Most of these reports came through the Clean & Upkeep app (10,945 reports), phone calls (6,191 reports), and emails (2,422 reports).
Minister Miriam Dalli described these figures as a testament to the active participation of the public, which is crucial for maintaining cleanliness through collective effort. “These results are, above all, a reflection of the commitment of the dedicated workers who, rain or shine, are on our streets working to keep our country clean. Cleanliness is an integral part of our broader vision to raise awareness about environmental protection,” said Minister Dalli.
Parliamentary Secretary Glenn Bedingfield explained that these results highlight the Government’s commitment to public cleanliness, and that this year, these efforts will continue to grow through new projects, including the use of artificial intelligence.
“The achievements we’ve made are thanks to the workers who, every day, in all weather conditions, are on our streets, making our country a place we are proud to call home. Public cleanliness and quality of life are directly connected, and it is up to each one of us to care for our country,” he emphasised.
The CMD successfully collected 57,600 tonnes of illegal waste over the year, demonstrating its commitment to providing a clean and sustainable environment for both the Maltese and Gozitan communities. This effort was built upon the success of the Xummiemu educational campaign, where more people actively participated in reporting illegal dumping. Of this, 46,000 tonnes was construction waste, with 40,000 tonnes being removed from the Motorsports centre for preparatory work to commence.
The Clean & Upkeep mobile app was downloaded 4,058 times in 2024. Between January and June 2024, before the launch of Xummiemu campaign, there were 842 downloads. On the other hand, between July and December 2024, during the campaign, the number of downloads surged to 3,216. This highlights the positive impact of the campaign on the app’s popularity and the public’s eagerness to engage more actively in maintaining public cleanliness.
These results would not have been possible without the invaluable contribution of the CMD staff, who carry out essential work every day with dedication and professionalism. They are the cornerstone of the excellence that CMD strives for on a daily basis.
Photos: DOI/MEEC
