The ERA, as the regulatory authority responsible for the protection of the environment wishes to inform that currently there are 31 quarries that are permitted to accept C&D and inert waste in them, 6 of which are permitted for recycling construction waste only. Also, it is processing other applications for new sites.
The ERA took stock of the quarries in Malta and Gozo in November 2019 where it emerged that there are a number of disused quarries that may be restored. The Authority gives precedence to the infilling of disused quarries, whereby sea dredged material is permitted to be dumped at sea at the official spoil ground off Valletta Harbour.
The ERA expects all applicants and contractors to seek proper waste management facilities prior to commencement of works that are known to generate any quantities of construction waste. It is pertinent to note, that regulatory authorities such as ERA, cannot fulfil the obligations of operative entities, whether public or private, in their course of contractual obligations with third parties. The ERA has always been available to facilitate negotiations between contractors and quarry operators, however it is the responsibility of the entity generating the waste to secure proper waste disposal in line with sustainable environmental goals.
It is the intent of the Authority that in the coming days it will be introducing regulatory measures to bring in line the quarrying sector, which for the past years has been largely unregulated.
24 April 2020
