The winners of the 9th edition of the Malta Waste Reduction Awards, organised by WasteServ Malta, were announced on 3 June. During the event, the best actions carried out during the 13th European Week for Waste Reduction were rewarded. The selection at regional level was based on the criteria defined by the jury of the European Awards: visibility and communicational aspects; quality of content; originality and exemplarity; lasting impact and follow-up. The winners were selected by an expert jury where each winning project received funding to assist in waste reduction efforts. Winners also received trophies for the occasion.

The winners of the Malta Waste Reduction Awards stood a chance to also represent Malta at the European Week for Waste Reduction Awards 2021 which brought together the best participants in the field, from all over Europe. The winners selected by WasteServ Malta in the different categories were:

• Public administration category: Ħ’Attard Local Council, with the “Our Environment – Clean it, Save it, Keep it” action. They organised several information sessions for grown-ups and children. The Council distributed free plants together with an informative booklet on tree planting. The Council also organised a Swap-Shop activity where residents were asked to bring their unwanted or unused goods and swap them with other items which were on display.
• Association category: La Salle Athletics Club and its action “Running and Reducing and Recycling” promoted various ways to reduce waste. They organised running competitions where they invited other clubs to participate. A road race was organised where used running shoes that were not good for running but were still good for walking and other sportswear were collected and then donated to the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers.
• Educational establishment category: St Benedict’s college – Middle School with the action “Changing Our Ways”, a series of activities, workshops and class discussions to raise awareness amongst the whole school community. They also harvested olives from the trees planted around the perimeter of the school and sold them so as to reduce food waste. This school is also the Winner of the additional award “The best action for the EWWR audience” at the EWWR 2021 Awards Ceremony!
• Business category: Malta Freeport Terminals Ltd presented its action “Malta Freeport Terminals Synergy with the Birzebbuga Community Shopping Centre”. The company organised a team-building activity for its employees which focused on the EWWR 2021 thematic focus, Circular Communities. They also created Christmas decorations out of old car tyres, and cloth bags our of used shirts.
• Citizens category: Eman Azzopardi with the campaign “Giving Back Fridays”. Every Friday, he organises clean-ups in his locality and posts photos on Facebook in order to raise awareness among Ħaż-Żebbuġ residents. Through this initiative, Eman Azzopardi managed to encourage many people to join him for the clean-ups. 

Read the full article on WasteServ Malta’s website, and follow their EWWR dedicated Facebook page.