People Are Cutting Open And Scavenging Through Trash Bags In Search Of Plastic In Sliema
Individuals have been spotted cutting open trash bags, looking for plastic bottles, across the Sliema and St. Julian’s area, sparking concern among residents.
These rise of this behaviour raises serious questions about the state of poverty in Malta and the unforeseen consequences of certain environmental initiatives.
The bags are often left where they were originally placed, typically left wide open, with stray animals then able to access the contents, if they aren’t first blown away by the wind.
Trash bags cut open in Sliema
The launch of Beverage Container Refund Scheme (BCRS) Malta last November set out an effective goal to curb the littering problem by compensating people for each item recycled.
At first, the system appeared to be a win-win situation for both the environment and the locals. However, recent events may be shedding light on a more dark reality where an increasing number of people are resorting to rummaging through trash bags in search of beverage containers they can redeem for money.
The sight of people sifting through garbage for bottles, a previously uncommon sight, this shows a potential drawback of the recycling initiative.
It suggests that people may be driven more by economic desperation than environmental awareness. The situation paints a grim picture of the current economic hardships.
Is this a distressing indicator of the growing poverty in Malta?