Green MT, the National Authorised Packaging Waste Compliance Scheme has held its annual Council Awards under the patronage of the Hon. Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change, Jose Herrera and the Hon. Stefan Buontempo, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government.
The Green Council Awards have entered into their sixth year and nine awards were this year given to Local Councils, Schools, Industry Operators, and individuals who have distingushed themselves in the sector of waste separation and final recycling.
In 2015, Green MT has managed to collect 4986 tons of recyclable waste from across 28 towns and villages in Malta and Gozo. More than three-quarters of that waste came from household waste collection, with 21.6 per cent collected at bring-in sites. Green MT manages 41 grey bag collections each week from these localities. As of 2015, Green MT has also started the glass bottles and glass container collection and has managed to collect and recycle 257 tons.
Addressing the Green Council Awards, GREEN Mt CEO, Mr Joe Attard explained that each tonne costs the Scheme anything €120 in Malta and €217 in Gozo. Mr. Attard said that “sustainability in this sector can be ensured if the law obliges residents to separate at home”
GRTU Vice President and Green Mt Director Marcel Mizzi said that GRTU is committed to ensure the proper implimentation of the extended Poluter Pays Principle according to various EU Environemnt Directive. Mr. Mizzi continued that GRTU is a main stakeholder and on behalf of it’s members, it must be involved in every decision taken on waste management.

The winners of the Green Council Awards are:

• OVERALL BEST PERFORMING LOCAL COUNCIL
Ta’ Xbiex – (collected 239 tonnes – 87 kg per capita)
Imġarr, Malta – (collected 223 tonnes – 61 kg per capita)
Mellieħa – (collected 607 tonnes – 60 kg per capita)
• AWARD FOR INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT TO RECYCLING
Mario Calleja – Marsascala Mayor
• OUTSTANDING COLLEGE OF THE YEAR AWARD
St Ignatius College, Luqa Primary
• RECYCLING BUSINESS YEAR AWARD
Simonds Farsons Cisk
• LOCAL COUNCIL IMPROVEMENT AWARD
IMTARFA
• BEST PERFORMANCE GLASS COLLECTION
SIĠĠIEWI
• MOST SUPPORTIVE LOCAL COUNCIL
SAN PAWL IL-BAĦAR