Comino : island of plastic

Abstract

Following the visit by the Tara Oceans research vessel, Environment Minister Leo Brincat last Sunday rightly spoke on the dire need to address the issue of plastic. The Maltese ‘disposable’ mentality is such that no site on the islands, however remote, is immune from plastic pollution. In fact, the garigue overlooking the Blue Lagoon, behind the mushrooming kiosks, is peppered with plastic debris that is eventually blown further inland and ends up in the sea. Why does Comino need so many kiosks, which jar with the small island’s natural context? Will this ‘commercial’ activity on the island further expand in the coming years? Stalls should only be permitted to offer basic refreshments, such as drinks, light snacks and ice-cream. Requests for stalls that need more space, and generate more waste (e.g. cooking oils) and noise (e.g. generators) on Comino should not be contemplated.