Watch: Opposition MP gets hands dirty and joins garbage collectors
Critical about Malta's garbage crisis, Eve Borg Bonello joined collectors to understand the issues they face
The Nationalist Party’s youngest MP, who has been critical about Malta’s garbage crisis, went out to collect rubbish and hear the issues collectors face while out on the job.
In a social media video posted on Tuesday, Eve Borg Bonello said to truly understand the rubbish issue localities are facing, one needs to go out and experience them.
And that is just what the 22-year-old shadow minister for Public Cleanliness did, when early on Monday morning she joined garbage collectors in Sliema to listen to the daily issues they face when dealing with waste collection.
Residents, activists, and mayors have raised concerns about the growing rubbish piles left in their streets, especially in tourist destinations.
Last month, Momentum launched a parliamentary petition calling on the government to take immediate action to address the ongoing disruption caused by short-term tourist rentals, along with proposing the introduction of harsh fines for illegal waste dumping.
In the video, which shows Borg Bonello collecting garbage and riding the collection truck, the contractor explains how one big issue they face daily is cars parked illegally on the road, blocking the path.
The contractor said enforcement is lacking on the streets, pointing out how wrong bags are placed on the day. He said recycling bags are taken out alongside black bags, some even being left open.
He described how residents in Airbnbs place the garbage out on the wrong day and an increase in population has resulted in an increase in garbage on the streets.
Borg Bonello said she plans to unveil new proposals to tackle Malta’s garbage issue.