Growth in the EU is still accompanied by increasing amounts of waste, causing unnecessary losses of materials and energy, environmental damage and negative effects on health and quality of life. One of the goals of the EU is to reduce these negative impacts and to turn the Union into a resource efficient “Recycling Society”.

On the 3rd of December 2008, the Commission issued the Green Paper on the Management of bio-waste in the EU (COM [2008] 811).  The aim of this Green Paper was to delve into options for the further development of management of bio-waste.  However, due to the various criteria which vary from one Member State to another, mainly due to geographical location, climate, population lifestyle, density, landspace, odour issues and compost market, Malta forsess difficulties especially if a common approach towards the management of bio-waste is adopted. 

In this context, MEUSAC in co-ordination with MEPA organised an open consultation session on this topic to take feedback from stakeholders, operators and interested individuals. There was also a presentation on the the transposition of the Directive on Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe which also served as a follow up of the consultation on Malta’s Air Quality Plan which was held last year.

This consultation session was held on 21^st May 2010 at Europe House in Valletta.