Miriam Dalli swerved questions on whether she agrees with WasteServ CEO’s suggestion to freeze their organic waste to avoid odours until the next garbage pickup.

The question was posted by Richard Bilocca, WasteServ CEO on national TV last week. He suggested that people could avoid the nasty smells of garbage that are currently plaguing the islands by putting the bags in the freezer.

Malta is currently experiencing a waste crisis, with many localities riddled with mounting bags of garbage on corners and pavements.

However, Minister Dalli served a Times of Malta journalist’s suggestion, instead urging people to keep separating their waste, adding that 35% more organic waste is being collected.

Irregular waste collection is a major sore for Malta, with a strain on infrastructure in peak tourism season.

The CEO’s comment is not the first time a high-ranking official has suggested a bizarre solution to a complex national crisis. Last month, when the islands were plunged into darkness amid a blistering heatwave, Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli suggested that people should “read a book”.

Meanwhile, some have called for the CEO to be sacked, while PN MP Eve Borg Bonello questioned his salary.

“Miriam Dalli wants you to freeze your rubbish, another beautiful technocratic professional proposal, that is after they told us to read a book when there’s no electricity for weeks,” the young MP wrote in a scathing Facebook post.

“Thank you Miriam Dalli! Your selections for jobs for the blue-eyed boys never fail to impress.”

Borg Bonello also pointed to the CEO’s salary, as revealed in a parliamentary question. Currently, Bilocca makes around €117,854.30.

“Will he get his performance bonus this year of €8,316,” the MP questioned.

Will you be freezing your trash?