Recycling plant: 'no effect' on Zejtun

WasteServ said that once the €16.7 million upgrading of the Sant'Antnin Waste Plant is complete, the plant will not have any negative effect on the residents of Zejtun or on the surrounding neighbourhood.

One of the main reasons for this proposed investment is precisely to ease the concerns of the surrounding neighbourhood, it said.

WasteServ, which was reacting to comments on the project by the Zejtun council, said that contrary to the council's claims, WasteServ had consulted the council on a number of occasions.

In fact the new recommendations in the second draft environment statement were made following consultations with the Malta Environment and Planning Authoriy, non-governmental organisations, government departments and the Marsascala and Zejtun councils. The plant will only treat 71,000 tonnes of waste per annum, 36,000 of which are clean and dry recyclables and 35,000 organic waste, the agency said. Furthermore, all operations will take place in a fully enclosed environment and indoor air will not be allowed to escape the buildings as a result of internal pressure.

Vehicles carrying waste will be using route 26 passing through Bulebel Industrial Estate in order to avoid residential areas.

The Zejtun council had expressed its concern that large vehicles laden with waste would be passing through Zejtun on their way to the plant which was situated just 300 metres away from residential zones in Zejtun.