An investigation has been launched into an electronic waste storage facility run by Wasteserv after it transpired that it was not covered by a permit, the Planning Authority has confirmed.
This was revealed when Times of Malta asked what course of action had been taken on the matter which the newspaper flagged last week.
The investigation centres on a site in Iklin, next to the Bitmac Ltd tarmac plant, which some time ago started receiving electronic waste such as old television sets and various white goods.
Sources close to Wasteserv, which falls under the responsibility of the Environment Ministry, told this newspaper that the site had been rented out because various civic amenity sites were full to capacity.
READ: Overflowing civic amenity sites
The measure was the result of a €1 million contract signed with Bitmac Ltd, which is owned by three major road construction companies. No public tender was issued for any parties interested to offer their premises for the storage of electronic waste.
Asked if this facility was covered by permits, a Wasteserv spokesman said that an environment permit was issued by the Environment Resources Authority, but no details were given.
Environment permit issued by the ERA
According to the PA website, Wasteserv submitted an application in June last year but this has not yet been approved or rejected. Furthermore, the application is listed as being currently suspended at the architect’s request.
Asked what action the authority would be taking on the matter, a PA spokesman confirmed that an investigation had been launched following the story published by the Times of Malta. However, the authority did not commit itself as to whether an enforcement order would be issued, with the spokesman saying such a possibility was not being excluded.
According to Wasteserv, the facility in Iklin will only be used for three years, until a multi-material recovery facility in Ħal Far is built.
The facility has been in the pipeline for a number of years now. Its aim is to act as a holding house for material earmarked for recycling.