Gozo Waste Transfer Station and Material Recovery Facility

The overall objective of this project was to improve the waste management system in Gozo by developing a controlled facility for the processing of waste to replace the only landfill site on the island. The Material Recovery Facility sorts waste received from Bring-In Sites and the door-to-door collection of separated waste into three fractions: plastics, paper and cardboard, and metals through a semi-automated mechanical process. The Municipal Solid Waste is collected at the Transfer Station where it is compacted in hermetically sealed containers and transferred to Malta for further treatment. The project thus contributes to minimise the landfilling of waste by primarily segregating the waste, which is directed for treatment. Also, efficient compaction results in more efficient transportation from Gozo to Malta thus reducing both the operational costs and the carbon footprint.

This project was intended to achieve three main objectives:
1. To reduce transportation between the Islands thus applying the proximity principle;
2.To reduce the disamenities of waste management for Gozo residents by closing down the Qortin landfill and providing a controlled facility for the proper processing of waste.
3. To contribute in the development of Gozo into an ecological destination.

The main beneficiaries of this project are the residents of Gozo who are now benefiting from a cleaner environment.