Despite never-ending awareness campaigns and initiatives, the overwhelming majority of waste in Malta is going to landfills, with just 11% being recycled. 

Figures by the NSO revealed that in 2020, just under 88% of all waste in Malta went to landfills. That’s around 273,729 tonnes of material, half of which comes directly from garbage generated by the public a large, like food waste. 

In 2020, the total amount of treated municipal waste did actually decreased by 12.5% when compared to 2019. However, the low uptake in tourist numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic certainly had its effect. 

Paper and cardboard was the most recycled material at 51.4% of the total recycled waste. Plastic accounts for just 7%. 

The amount being recycled did actually increase from the previous year, with 34,796 tonnes recycled in 2020. Still, it is below levels recorded in 2016 and 2017. 

Malta generates one of the highest volumes of municipal waste per capita when compared to other EU countries. The country is miles behind its waste management targets.

The mandatory separation of waste was only introduced at the end of 2018, but still, Malta holds one of the lowest rates of recycling across the bloc. 

Attempts to change mentality is moving at a snail’s pace, with government measures failing to take hold. Plans to solve the issue, like the waste-to-energy plant, have slowed down despite initial fanfare.

What do you think of the figures?