EU Cohesion Policy: Waste management capacity has improved in Malta thanks to EU funds

The Commission welcomes today’s inauguration of the Multi-Material Recovery Facility in Ħal Far, Malta. The Facility will develop alternative ways of collecting waste with the aim of preparation and storage for recycling and export. This will improve Malta’s waste management capacity by deviating recoverable materials away from landfills and directing them into the circular economy.

The project benefitted from €11.4 million from the Cohesion Fund and will focus on waste such as wood, mattresses, textiles, flat glass, waste electrical and electronic equipment, expanded polystyrene, gypsum and tyres. The Facility is expected to recover almost 20,000 tonnes of waste by 2029. 

Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “The reliance on landfilling puts pressure on Malta’s environment, infrastructure, and socio-economic structures. This project is expected to lower landfilling allowing for more efficient land use and this is key to ensure the highest possible re-use and recovery of waste in line with national and European directives. The Facility will be of concrete help in Malta’s path towards reducing the volume of waste going to landfill for the direct benefit of citizens and the environment.”

The inauguration will take place at the Facility site in Ħal Far during a press conference with Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius; Miriam Dalli, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise; and Chris Bonett, Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds. During his official visit to Malta, Commissioner Sinkevičius will also have a working lunch with Miriam Dalli, and visit the Ecohive Complex and Wied Fulija - a former landfill now transformed into open green space. The Commissioner has also met with Prime Minister Robert Abela and had bilateral exchanges with Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Anton Refalo.

In 2014-2020, Malta benefited from Cohesion Policy funding worth more than €1 billion, including to finance other environment relevant projects such as measures to increase awareness to improve recycling levels and the rehabilitation of Wied Fulija.

More details on Cohesion Policy-supported projects in Malta on Kohesio and in the Cohesion Open Data Platform.

A video about the project is available here.