Gozo WasteServ project to be completed by end of the year

Earlier today, Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change, Leo Brincat visited the WasteServ project in tal-Kus in Gozo, saying he was satisfied that the construction works at the Waste Transfer Station and the Material Recovery Facility in the limits of Xewkija, Gozo, were going ahead at such a fast pace that they were expected to be finished by the end of the year.

 Brincat announced that once the facility would be completed, waste separation and storage of dangerous and not dangerous waste will be possible prior to the transfer to Malta.

Brincat was accompanied by Gozo Minister Anton Refalo and the WasteServ Chairman and CEO, who said that the facility would be separating, processing, and temporarily storing waste.

“The facility would also be in charge of transferring waste originating from Gozo and Comino,” he added.

“WasteServ will continue in its commitment to enlarging its work in the private sector, whatever its task will be in the future. WasteServ will continue to be an essential component for the success of the Waste Management Plan, which will be updated and reviewed by the end of 2017.”

 Refalo said that the new recycling project is important for Gozo as it would mean that waste will be packed underground and sent to Malta in an environmentally friendly manner.

“All the grey bags will be processed at the tal-Kus recycling plant, not just a few, as is happening now at Qortin. This project will therefor also reduce the pressure on the San Antnin recycling plant at Wied il-Ghajn.”

Refalo added that around ten million euros, which were co-financed from European Funds, had been allocated to the project.

 “The roof of the facility will only be one metre higher than surrounding buildings, and that the colour of the tent would resemble its surroundings,” Refalo said, stressing that the facility would respect its surroundings.

“The plan is to close down Qortin once this project is finished. As opposed to the Qortin facility, tal-Kus will feature a closed building to prevent unpleasant odours and stray waste.”

“There will also be special machinery that will pack waste closer together to ensure that there are fewer trips between Malta and Gozo, which will ensure fewer expenses.”

“This project, based on the concept of an ecologic island, is very important and it will have a positive impact on Gozo as a whole,” Refalo said, thanking workers for their important role in ensuring the recycling plant’s success.