Throughout the years, Malta’s retired landfills have been safely rehabilitated to provide an environment in keeping with the natural surroundings, and where possible, become an amenity for local communities. 

Magħtab

The once dilapidated mountain of garbage in Magħtab has now been planted with indigenous Maltese plants and vegetation. As part of the rehabilitation, a Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser was installed to treat harmful gases. 

Sant’ Antnin Family Park, Marsascala   

Marsascala’s landfill has been transformed into one of the most popular family parks with a children’s playground, an outdoor gym and an amphitheatre. In addition to the family park, the rehabilitation also included the restoration of St. Anthony’s Chapel in the vicinity. In order to help solve the problem of floods in the area, two reservoirs with a total capacity of approximately 1,700m3 were built to harvest rainwater. 

Wied Fulija, Żurrieq   

In August 2019, Wasteserv launched an EU-funded project to rehabilitate Wied Fulija landfill, involving the restoration of 6.5 hectares into a green area with a paved pathway for the public to be able to access the cliffs, from where they can take in the panoramic views of the surrounding area. Works on-site are progressing steadily. A surface water management infrastructure aimed at promoting surface water runoff is also being installed into the newly profiled mounds. The area will also be landscaped with indigenous plant species to blend into its surroundings. 

Qortin, Xagħra (Gozo)   

In Gozo, rehabilitation and restoration of the Qortin landfill was achieved through the installation of an engineered capping and the planting of nearly 23,000 indigenous trees and shrubs. The sprawling five hectares of land were transformed in order to reduce gas emissions and  leachate production. Following the successful rehabilitation of the landfill, a decision was taken to ensure that the area be made absolutely safe for the public to enjoy, through the installation of safety railings and gates and fences built around manifolds. The project is set to be completed by the end of 2020.