The alarming scale of misinformation spread about the proposed Thermal Treatment Facility at Magħtab has prompted WasteServ to refer the matter to the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life, the agency said Monday.
WasteServ said in a statement that the €500 million investment in the ECOHIVE Project is intended to transition Malta to a fully circular economy, as part of its objectives to rid Malta of its reliance on landfills and the tremendous negative impacts associated with them.
Instead of consulting readily available documents for evidence-based knowledge, “MEP Peter Agius and MP Claudette Buttigieg have chosen to spread fear and deceptive assertions, falsely claiming that WasteServ’s new facilities would negatively impact thousands of people within a six kilometre radius,” Wasteserv said.
“WasteServ focuses all its energy exclusively on delivering its mission and does not usually react to political discourse. However, the scale of misinformation being spread necessitated a departure from our longstanding policy and we have referred the matter to the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life for any appropriate action he deems fit,” WasteServ said in a statement
“The grossly irresponsible claims being made about this national project are creating unnecessary alarm and contributing to unwarranted anxiety among residents of neighbouring localities, ultimately affecting their quality of life and wellbeing. This was something the Company could no longer ignore and the record must be set straight.” It added.
False statements have described the facility and the ECOHIVE Complex as “a cancer factory”, “greenwashing”, with the allegation that no proper studies were carried out. WasteServ stated that such statements could be no further from the truth. Studies presented to the public also demonstrate clearly that the required studies were carried out, including on the impact of other plants.
“We welcome scrutiny. What we reject is the spread of misinformation that erodes public understanding and increases anxiety among residents who deserve facts, not fear,” WasteServ said.
WasteServ added that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the waste-to-energy plant had already concluded that the facility would deliver net environmental benefits. So had the EIA for the organic processing plant.
The EIA process for the Thermal Treatment Facility was now nearing its conclusion and the detailed analysis carried out by independent international experts is already giving steadfast assurances on air quality.
In line with regulatory requirements, a comprehensive EIA for the ECOHIVE Thermal Treatment Facility, a project announced back in 2020, was carried out and presented to the public during a dedicated public hearing on April 23, 2025. This assessment thoroughly evaluated all potential impacts in accordance with applicable legislation and the findings confirm the facility will incorporate Best Available Technology (BAT). Additionally, it will not negatively impact air quality, even when assessed in conjunction with the adjacent Waste-to-Energy Plant.