Trucks checked for dumping abuse

Malta Environment and Planning Authority inspectors are checking around 150 trucks every day to ensure that only construction waste is dumped in a quarry made available for the purpose near Siggiewi.

The quarry started receiving construction waste recently, which used to be channelled to the Maghtab dump.

MEPA said that other waste which could pollute the environment was not accepted in the quarry.

Acting MEPA director Loius Vella said that MEPA was keeping an eye on the operators of the quarry to ensure that they observed the conditions.

In a statement MEPA said that the biggest problem being encountered by the inspectors were truck drivers who went to the quarry with skips that had mixed waste.

In this case drivers were being instructed to separate the waste. While the construction waste was dumped at the Siggiewi quarry the rest was taken to Maghtab.

MEPA also pointed out that metal waste, such as bathtubs, geysers and pipes, and organic waste such as wood, plastic, mattresses and animal remains were not being accepted at the quarry.