[WATCH] Fines mulled for households that don't separate waste

Environment Minister launches food waste report. Video: Ray Attard

The separation of waste should be mandatory and households that do not conform should be fined, a Food Waste report compiled by a government-appointed working group read.

“Drastic action needs to be taken,” working group chair Lisa Zammit Shaw told MaltaToday, presenting the findings of the group that included representatives from supermarkets, catering establishments, and the Opposition.

The working group’s proposals also include the introduction of half-portion meals in all restaurants.

“Some restaurants don’t offer starter portions, while the starter portions of some restaurants is only one euro cheaper than the main course,” Zammit Shaw said. “Therefore, people are more inclined to opt for the main course, causing more food to be wasted.”

According to another proposal, smaller portion meals should cost as much as larger portion ones, with the excess money going to charity. Another suggests that menus in old people’s homes and hospitals become tailor-made for patients and residents so as to prevent food waste due to offered meals not being in line with people’s dietary requirements.

The report was launched today by Environment Minister Leo Brincat, who promised to evaluate every one of its proposals before deciding which of them should be implemented.

He stressed on the importance of a long and ongoing waste management educational campaign targeted at various sectors of society, including children and the elderly, so as to “penetrate people’s subconscious”.

“The campaign won’t solve everything, but it must be held in order for the government’s waste plan to work,” Brincat said. “We’ll assess the public response during the campaign. It will be jumping the gun to start thinking of waste separation enforcement from now.”