Total amount of generated waste in 2022 up by 4.4 per cent when compared to 2021 - NSO
During 2022, the total amount of generated waste increased by 4.4 per cent when compared to 2021, the NSO said Tuesday.
Waste generation
The total generation of solid waste in Malta during 2022 amounted to 2.6 million tonnes, increasing by 4.4 per cent when compared to 2021. Hazardous waste increased by 6.1 per cent or 2,624 tonnes, while non-hazardous waste increased by 4.4 per cent or 107,446 tonnes. In absolute terms the highest increases were noted for non-hazardous mineral waste from construction and demolition (87,043 tonnes) and household and similar wastes (18,529 tonnes). On the other hand, the most notable decreases were noted for non-hazardous sorting residues (6,849 tonnes) and common sludges (6,684 tonnes).
Waste treatment
In 2022 waste treatment totalled 2.5 million tonnes, increasing by 6.1 per cent or 147,602 tonnes over 2021. Increases were registered for recovery-recycling (225,940 tonnes) and disposal-other (2,244 tonnes). Conversely, decreases were recorded for recovery-backfilling (70,467 tonnes), recovery-energy recovery (7,360 tonnes), disposal-incineration (1,584 tonnes) and disposal-landfill (1,170 tonnes).
When viewed by location of treatment the figures reveal that for treatment taking place in Malta in 2022 recovery-recycling experienced the highest increase (209,679 tonnes) while recovery-backfilling experienced the highest decrease (70,467 tonnes). Regarding treatment taking place in overseas facilities, the most notable increase was for recoveryrecycling (16,261 tonnes) while the most notable decrease was for disposal-landfill (16,223 tonnes).
During 2022, increases were registered for the waste input into the Tal-Kus (Gozo) waste transfer station (374 tonnes), the Malta North Mechanical-Biological Treatment Plant (8,862 tonnes) and the Sant’ Antnin Waste Treatment Plant (3,172 tonnes). Additionally, an increase of 5.1 per cent or 15,052 tonnes was noted for waste that was disposed at the Għallis landfill. In contrast, waste that was incinerated at the Marsa Thermal Treatment Facility fell by 5.6 per cent or 312 tonnes.
In terms of weight the highest amount of waste treatment taking place in Malta was recorded for inert mineral waste. In 2022 the backfilling of mineral waste from construction and demolition went down by 9.3 per cent or 69,181 tonnes. Recycling for this waste category went up by 17.9 per cent or 211,010 tonnes. In 2022 disposal at sea of mineral waste advanced by 2,244 tonnes, while the backfilling of other mineral wastes declined by 1,286 tonnes.
Separate collection of waste
In 2022, the separate collection of waste fractions experienced a decline in all modes except for the door-to-door glass collection where amounts increased by 0.9 per cent or 30 tonnes. The highest drop, amounting to 4,188 tonnes (10.9 per cent) was registered for Civic Amenity Sites, followed by the organic waste collection at 2,678 tonnes (11.5 per cent). Declines for the grey/green bag collection and bring-in sites amounted to 422 tonnes (1.5 per cent) and 265 tonnes (7.3 per cent) respectively.