Updated | Labour takes government to task on glass waste dumped at Wied Fulija

Adds Wasteserv statement at 5:20pm

In the coming days, the resources and rural affairs minister George Pullicino will spin a failure into a success story by announcing the rehabilitation of the dumping site at Wied Fulija in Zurrieq, Labour MP Leo Brincat said.

The PL's environment spokesperson explained that the site in Wied Fulija was used as a landfill before EU accession and was earmarked for complete rehabilitation together with Maghtab and Qortin landfills.

Brincat added that although the landfill was closed down, the site was used as a dumping site for glass waste. This was signalled by Labour leader Joseph Muscat in 2009.

The MP said "in the coming days the resources and rural affairs minister will announce the rehabilitation of the site during a pompous ceremony, but the government has a lot of explaining to do."

"Wasteserv, the government's extended arm in waste management, violated environmental and waste management principles, including Mepa regulations," Brincat said.

While stressing that it is not clear whether Mepa never issued a permit or inspected the site, Brincat challenged the government to publish the Mepa permits.

In 2009, Joseph Muscat had complained that all glass waste collected in Malta and Gozo was being dumped at Wied Fulija, "against all waste recycling principles."

During this morning's press conference, Leo Brincat said that WasteServ, the government's waste management agency, had stated that the glass was being kept at Wied Fulija temporarily, until there was sufficient volume for it to be exported for recycling.

"However, three years later, glass is still being dumped there. We know are informed that an export market for the recycling of the glass has been found and the government will soon announce the valley's rehabilitation," Brincat said.

Brincat added that the rehabilitation was set to be funded by the EU. While stressing that Labour is all in favour of rehabilitating the site, Brincat went on to challenge the government whether the dumping had the necessary permits from Mepa.

The MP said "similarly to the Merkaptan case, Mepa either knew about the case and did not take any action or maybe it was not aware at all of the dumping in Wied Fulija."

"We support all initiatives that improve the environment or waste management but we cannot accept secrecy and illegal activities. The government is doing the complete opposite of what was promised in its electoral programme especially in waste management, sustainable development, climate change and renewable energy," the Labour MP said.

In 2004, WasteServe's summery report on the Development of Rehabilitation Strategies for the Maghtab, Qortin and Wied Fulija Landfills said that these landfills were to be closed down and transformed back into beneficial use.

The report had also stated that the site is viewed "as an opportunity to develop an area for formal recreational use; a sports theme park has been suggested including facilities for soccer, athletics, shooting, tennis, and possibly motor sport."

In a statement issued late this afternoon, WasteServ explained that the glass waste dumped in Wied Fulija is intended for recycling abroad or in Malta but failed to comment on whether Mepa had issued a permit.

WasteServ added that between 2007 and 2011 it sent more than 6,800 tonnes of glass for recycling, "sometimes at very high cost."

The agency explained that a substantial amount of glass dumped at Wied Fulija is currently being stacked on a ship to be sent for recycling while the rest will be used as part of the rehabilitation project.