Bio
Margaret Camilleri Fenech is a Lecturer in Waste Management at the University of Malta, with a PhD stream in Waste Management. Her research focuses on the intersection of waste generation and economic growth, as exemplified by her input-output analysis of Malta's waste economy. She also applies GIS methodologies to optimize municipal waste collection routes, as demonstrated in her study on rerouting collection systems in Malta. With a strong commitment to sustainable development, she serves as a journal reviewer and has contributed to both international and national publications. Her work contributes to evidence-based waste policy and circular economy initiatives in Malta.
Experience
Lecturer
0 - 0Research
Rerouting Municipal Waste Collection in Malta: An Examination of Waste Collection Routes with Proposed New Systems using GIS Methodology
Kerbside collection of waste is not often included as part of carbon footprint analysis in view that it constitutes about 5e percent of the carbon emissions generated by the waste collection and treatment systems. However, it also represents the most expensive functional element in the entire waste management process, reaching as high as 75 percent of all costs in the total municipal solid waste (MSW) management system. Most costs relate to fuel, together with labour costs. Fuel consumption results in various pollutants, predominantly carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, which are of major concern due to their contribution to global warming and acid rain. In Malta, transport emissions generated from the MSW collection system reach 14 percent of total emissions. This is significantly higher than the European average which generally reaches 5 percent. During the time the study was carried out, the local councils (municipalities) were left to their own devices to sketch a collection route with the result that truck drivers often outline a route simply on their experience. Therefore, room for improvement is clearly present and it is necessary to find an optimal solution to reduce fuel consumption and minimize emissions. This research uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) through the Arc GIS Network Analyst application to optimize routes by enhancing the efficiency of waste collection and transportation in the cities of Mellieħa and Attard, Malta. The model that is created is based on data collection involving the Global Positioning System tracking including bin position, (landfill) and collection route as variables. Key performance indicators of the existing practice are estimated. Following this, potential optimal scenarios were developed and compared to the existing collection routes. Results indicate that the proposed scenarios have direct positive impacts on vehicle operating times with operational cost savings and reduced carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particle emissions.
Mapping waste generation and economic growth: Insights from input-output analysis in Malta
The search for an economy that is not riddled with externalities is an ongoing one. However, to reach this objective, policy making must shift its focus from the end of pipe solutions and obtain a deeper understanding of the connection that economic development and growth holds with environmental degradation. This study focuses on the connection that the economy holds with waste generation and via the application of the Waste Input Output model, it puts forward estimatesillustrating how a €1-million injection in final demand impacts total waste generation, considering, both direct and indirect production and waste generation effects. The research is based on the Maltese Islands and uses 2015 as a base year. This is in view that the most recent inputoutput tables published by the national statistics office are built on this year. Results note that the waste generated by the construction industry remains by far the largest with 1,535.07 tonnes generated for every €1 million. Other concerning figures arise from the health and social work and agricultural sectors which result in 523.33 and 135.57 tonnes of waste respectively when there is an injection of 1 million euros. The magnitude of this figure is often watered down due to the inert properties of the waste generated however the disposal of construction and demolition can cause various difficulties particularly on islands where the problem of space is ubiquitous.
