Project Overview

ECOHIVE is the largest ever investment in the waste management sector that will drive Malta towards a circular economy. 

Similar to the dual role of bees both as pollinators for flowers, fruits and vegetables, and as honey producers, this project will process waste in the most sustainable and resource-efficient way possible while also turning it into precious resources – energy and agricultural compost. Hence, the name ECOHIVE. “ECO” ties to the environment and sustainability, while “HIVE” reminds us of a beehive, constantly active and buzzing with energy. Four new waste management plants will form part of the ECOHIVE project.

      

The Waste-to-Energy Facility is meant to process waste that cannot be easily recycled. 

Based on the moving grate technology, this facility will be treating 40% of non-recyclable waste generated in Malta diverting it away from landfill disposal. 

Energy in the form of electricity and heat will also be generated in the process. Indeed, the plant will generate 126GWh annually to the grid. This in addition to the electrical output expected from the new organic processing plant that will also produce compost for agricultural uses. 

With a capacity of 192,000 tonnes annually, this €185 million investment is expected to be commissioned in December 2026.       

The new Material Recovery Facility will be receiving and processing co-mingled recyclables.

With an investment of €20 million, the Material Recovery Facility is expected to have an annual capacity of 70,000 tonnes. The new Material Recovery Facility will be receiving and processing co-mingled recyclables – namely paper, plastic and metal – through an automated sorting process. Waste will undergo a series of procedures that refine the material stream, extracting specific materials that can be recycled leading to higher quality materials for recycling.

This plant is expected to be commissioned in 2024. 

A NEW SKIP MANAGEMENT FACILITY WILL BE MAXIMISING THE VALUE OF BULKY WASTE BY TURNING IT INTO NEW RESOURCES.

This facility will be accepting bulky waste from open-topped skips. By separating the bulky waste into different waste streams, this facility will be recovering valuable materials, effectively reducing waste directed to the landfill. This facility is expected to receive around 47,000 tonnes of mixed bulky waste that is delivered in open-topped skips every year, thereby improving Malta's recycling rate.

This facility, with an investment of over €10 million, is expected to start operating in 2025. 

The Organic Processing Plant will be converting organic waste into BIO GAS and agricultural compost.

The Organic Processing Plant will convert waste into biogas and agricultural compost. This facility is expected to process around 74,300 tonnes of organic waste on an annual basis.

Around €50 million will be invested to reduce the volume of biodegradable waste going to the landfill and ensure that we are making maximum use of our waste by turning it into a resource. 

A new Thermal Treatment Facility replacing the one in Marsa.

The new facility will also form part of the ECOHIVE project. This facility will process hazardous waste such as clinical and pharmaceutical waste using environmentally sound technology. Energy in the form of heat will also be generated in the process.