‘We’re not just paving the way for a better future, but trying to correct past mistakes’ – WasteServ CEO

Addressing one of the panel discussions as part of Malta’s Economic Vision 2021-2031 National Consultation, Richard Bilocca, CEO at WasteServ Malta Ltd revealed where he sees the company, which is responsible for organising, managing and operating integrated systems for waste management, in 10 years’ time.

Sharing his wish for WasteServ to pull off an “engineering marvel”, the CEO foresees four or five different state-of-the-art plants within the same complex by 2031. By that time, he says, “I also think we will be getting close to destroying our reliance on landfills. Right now, 93 per cent of our waste goes to a landfill. With our set-up and vision, we are targeting getting that down to 10 per cent.”

And this is not just talk, he maintains, affirming that “there’s already a commitment – a new policy that is in the making.” WasteServ will be managing a number of facilities, according to Mr Bilocca, which will be aimed at producing electricity as well as agricultural-grade compost on an industrial scale. “The future is bright, we’re very excited to be driving it,” he continues, revealing a mission “to give our children a better future, and environment, than the one our fathers gave us.”

Referring to another concept they’re working on, he adds, “in a few weeks we will be opening a new Nature Park, set over 100,000 square metres that in the past were a landfill.” Revealing that 40,000 trees have been planted within it, the CEO also shares that the park is already home to a bee colony and nesting facilities for sea birds.

“We’re not just paving the way for a better future, but we are also trying to correct the mistakes that were made in the past. This landfill, for example, is in a very scenic valley,” he continues.

“We still have a long way to go, and there are many problems to address – but we are convinced that we have the set-up to address them.”