We started off at the the Material Recovery Facility where plastics and paper are manually sorted, and the Mechanical Treatment Plant where the magnets and eddy current separators sort ferrous and non-ferrous metals, leave out other unusable and contaminated plastics and paper to be used as Refuse-Derived Fuel. The tour then continued at the Digestion and Stabilising (Composting) Plant, where organic waste is treated in order to produce biogas and compost. The biogas is then used by the Combined Heat and Power Plant to generate electricity and the heat required for the plant itself. The plant also includes Regenerative Thermal Oxidisers which treat the gases and odours generated within the plant, rendering it one of the most avant-garde in Europe.
In fact, I was impressed that in a waste treatment plant, there wasn't any area where the smell was unbearable, or where I felt the slightest disgust. The only disgust I felt, was when I remembered the campaign the Labour Party orchestrated against the upgrading of this plant, from the old, inefficient and unproductive one, to this new, energy-producing, recycling plant. A plant 70% financed by EU funds which Labour MEPs, including our dear Joseph Muscat, did their best to block. Thank goodness, unsuccessfully. Because this plant is essential in order for this country to extend the lifetime of its Engineered Landfill, and also make some returns on selling the recycled waste.
Yes, I have to say the American Ambassador was quite right in his recently revealed Wikileaks report. "It appears to presage continuing PL efforts to focus on partisan advantage without reference to broader national objectives." Even when this concerns a national environmental objective.
Mr. Sammut I live just opposite the St. Antnin Plant. For the last three years I have filed a police report, have raised complaints to the M Scala Local Council and Health Dept amongst others complaining of foul smells coming out of the said plant. Surely you have not talked to anyone of the residents before writing this article.
ReplyDeleteYes in fact I have, and many commented that it was much better than before. Of course, I assume occasionally some smell could escape the oxidisers' extractors, but the fact that the smell was barely noticeable even inside is a very positive indication.
DeleteI happen to frequently be at the Razzett, which is quite close, and I can compare what I used to smell whenever I passed there to what I don't smell now. I don't reside there, so I empathize with the nuisance occasional smells might cause to residents, and maybe more could be done to improve, but please don't tell me that the upgrade was not a huge step forward.