A landfill that is now a green area open to the public.
With a total footprint of 91,000m2, Wied Fulija was in operation from 1979 to 1996. This former landfill held approximately 1.85 billion kilograms of waste.
In August 2019, WasteServ launched an EU-funded project to rehabilitate this landfill with an investment of €4.5million where 43, 000 trees and shrubs were planted to restore this area to its natural habitat.
As part of this rehabilitation project, the slopes of the two waste mounds were stabilised at a safe angle without increasing their height. They were then sealed off by means of a subsoil and topsoil, including geocell material. The mounds were landscaped with numerous shrubs, including Maltese Everlasting (Helichrysum melitense), Olive-leaved Germander (Teucrium fruticans) and Golden Samphire (Limbarda crithmoides). A paved pathway lined with trees and benches between the two mounds was also constructed to allow the public to access the cliffs and enjoy the panoramic views of Filfla. Designated as a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area, this project emphasised local vegetation and biodiversity.
This area now also hosts the endemic Maltese honey bee, Apis mellifera ruttneri. In collaboration with the Malta Beekeepers’ Association, a number of beehives were installed to enhance the biodiversity of the area. Forming also part of Irdumijiet ta’ Malta: Mix-Xaqqa sal-Ponta ta’ Bengħisa, a Natura 2000 site, a number of nest boxes to attract Scopoli’s Shearwater (Calonectris Diomedea) to nest along the cliffs were also installed in collaboration with BirdLife Malta.
With this project, WasteServ brought this area of land back to its natural state whilst also giving residents and the public a green place to relax.