Wasteserv applies for Multi Material Recovery Facility in Birzebbugia

Wasteserv have applied for a permit to construct a Multi Material Recovery Facility on Hal Far road, Birzebbugia, adjacent to an existing civic amenity facility.

CEO Tonio Montebello explained that the planned development will help tackle a multitude of waste streams, like dividing up different woods so that they can be exported, reused or recycled, to separate gypsum boards “which we foresee will be largely used in the future,” for them to be exported abroad rather than dumped in a landfill, and other possible streams, including possibly dealing with bullet cartridges.

The plans indicate that the site will include a waste sorting area, a wood chipper, a waste electrical and electronic equipment unloading area, an area for gypsum, a shipping container area and a weighbridge.

The Environment and Resources Authority has indicated, in their submissions thus far, that the applicant has to clarify the daily processing capacity of both hazardous (including WEEE, contaminated/ treated wood/ Gypsum contaminated with dangerous substances) and non-hazardous waste streams.

The ERA also asked for a Noise Impact Assessment. The ERA has said that from the submissions provided it is unclear whether the proposal qualifies for an environmental permit or IPPC permit.

As for replacing part of the plant which was burnt down in Marsascala back in May 2017. Montebello told this newsroom that there are plans to build a new plant, but that this will be in the future.

The fire had put part of the Sant Antnin plant out of commission.

In the meantime, he said, the Malta North Plant is being used to handle the recyclable materia, and Wasteserv is now installing conveyer belts in the Marsascala site (one of the sheds) to help divide up mixed plastics found in the grey bag. He said that the grey bag will be processed in the Malta North plant and the plastic sent to Marsascala to separate the mixed plastic. This section in the Marsascala facility will be up and running by end August, Montebello told this newsroom.