Absence of toxic waste landfill 'is government's failure' - Leo Brincat

Labour MP and spokesperson for environment and climate change Leo Brincat said that in the original waste strategy created in 2001, government had committed itself to a landfill for toxic waste which would be operational until 2004.

Furthermore, Brincat said nobody really knows where the tonnes of toxic waste generated in Malta and Gozo is being dumped. He added the Malta Environment and Planning Authority should inform people about where the waste is being disposed of.

“How much of the waste is being thrown into landfills, is being incinerated or is being exported or recycled?” Brincat asked.

Brincat also said the relevant authorities should ensure there are appropriate checks and balances to protect public health, and that toxic waste is being treated according to EU directives.

Earlier this month, the MP had called for more information on the siting of a landfill that will take hazardous waste. He had added that the prime minister took three months to answer his PQ on Wasteserv’s application for this waste facility back in July. “It is in the public interest to know of developments in this area and whether Wasteserv has supplied this information to MEPA.”