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Solid waste generation in Malta rose sharply in 2024, reaching 3.5 million tonnes, an increase of 17.6% compared with 2023. According to the latest figures released by the National Statistics Office, the rise was mainly driven by non-hazardous waste, which increased by 18.2%, equivalent to 519,503 tonnes. Hazardous waste, on the other hand, declined by 3.3%, or 2,392 tonnes.

The strongest contribution to the overall increase came from the mineral fraction, which grew by 21.8%. This category alone accounted for an additional 502,983 tonnes, confirming the central role of construction-related activity in Malta’s waste profile. Non-mineral waste also increased, but at a much slower pace, rising by 2.2%, or 14,128 tonnes.

In absolute terms, the largest increases were recorded in non-hazardous mineral waste from construction and demolition, up by 323,198 tonnes, and in non-hazardous dredging spoils, which rose by 131,989 tonnes. By contrast, the most significant decreases were observed in non-hazardous sorting residues, down by 25,935 tonnes, and hazardous discarded vehicles, which fell by 21,482 tonnes.

Waste treatment also increased during the year. In 2024, Malta treated 3.0 million tonnes of waste, up by 14.6% compared with the previous year. Backfilling registered the largest increase, with an additional 385,533 tonnes, followed by other disposal operations, which rose by 175,010 tonnes. Recycling, however, declined by 186,385 tonnes, highlighting a shift in the composition and management of treated waste.

Inert mineral waste remained the main type of waste treated in Malta by weight. Backfilling of mineral waste from construction and demolition surged by 58.0%, while recycling for the same category decreased by 13.6%.

Separate waste collection showed mixed results. Collection from civic amenity sites decreased by 5,346 tonnes, while bring-in sites registered a slight decline of 18 tonnes. However, household door-to-door collection increased for organic waste, grey bag recyclables and glass. The Beverage Container Refund Scheme also expanded, collecting an additional 887 tonnes of plastic, metal and glass containers.

The 2024 data remain provisional and are based on administrative records from Circular Economy Malta, the Environment and Resources Authority, Transport Malta and WasteServ Malta Ltd.

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY NSO
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