Solid waste management policy in the E.U. and the Euromed process : some reflections on the way forward for Malta

Abstract

The need to conserve Malta’s limited natural assets, particularly to constrain further development of undeveloped land, and to reduce environmental damage, has surfaced as one of the major challenges facing the islands in recent years. In the last decade, government has expressed commitment, and built capacity for environmental protection through legislation and policy, notably the Environment Protection Act (1991), the Development Planning Act (1992) and the Structure Plan as well as through institutional development, notably the Planning Authority, Local Councils and the Ministry responsible for Environment. Despite this general stimulus for environmental management, the management of waste has received little attention. Waste generation per capita is high, separation and recycling are minimal and sanitary landfills have remained on paper. Existing landfills coupled with illegal dumping continue to generate a negative environmental impact, aggravated by the fact that Malta is a small island state with a high population density.