Nearly €100,000 In Waste-Related Fines Issued By ERA: From Countryside Incineration, To Permitless Operators
Since the beginning of this year, ERA has issued 80 fines related to waste infringements adding up to nearly €100,000.
From illegal incineration being carried out in Malta’s countryside, to permitless operators, a total of €94,120 in fines was issued since the start of 2023.
Meanwhile, a total of €5,600 in fines were issued in the last few weeks, with ERA even confirming the ones that were contested.
Case one was related to waste incineration that was taking place in the countryside where a fire with large plumes of black smoke was blazing whilst the mixed waste, which included documents, files, and folders as well as plastic toys, was being incinerated.
The responsible person was identified and instructed to clear the site of any remaining burnt debris. An administrative fine of €1,200 was issued on the contravener for incineration of waste.
Case two happened in the southern part of Malta where an administrative fine of €1,400 was imposed following a find of bed springs, polystyrene, and other mixed waste being incinerated, including a large, old television set that falls under WEEE waste.
The ERA Board also decided on two fines issued for waste carrier operators, with the first fine amounting to €1,200 each, were imposed on a waste carrier who deposited only part of the collected bulky waste at a Civic Amenity Site and drove off with the remaining waste on his vehicle.
This is not allowed by the relevant Waste Consignment Notes that regulate these activities.
The second fine amounting to €600, was issued to an operator caught carrying waste without a valid waste carrier permit. ERA instructed the operator to regulate himself and apply for a permit, but he failed to do so within the stipulated timeframe.
It is to be kept in mind that any waste storage, and management – including waste incineration of waste, are illegal except if authorised by ERA under pre-set conditions. Only vegetation waste can be burnt, and only in certain areas.
What do you make of these numbers?
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