WasteServ Malta organised “Ambjent Għalik”, a free eco-themed funfair at the ECOHIVE Academy in Marsaskala, combining entertainment and education to promote sustainability.

The event featured a packed programme of live magic shows, craft stations, digital exhibits, and interactive games including climbing walls, football darts, and giant Jenga. Adding to the fun were WasteServ’s beloved eco-heroes General Buzz, Commander Yellow, and the cheeky Garbage Monster delighting children and adults alike.

The funfair also served as the stage for the Malta Waste Reduction Awards, where winners showcased their innovative projects aimed at reducing waste and advancing a circular economy. Their presentations provided both inspiration and practical solutions for attendees.

“Engaging families and children in sustainability is crucial for fostering a culture of environmental responsibility,” said Environment Minister Miriam Dalli. “Events like this educate and inspire collective action towards a greener Malta.”

WasteServ CEO Richard Bilocca added: “Children have consistently expressed a clear message—they want to live in a better, more sustainable environment. Events like these raise awareness among younger generations, but it’s equally important for the wider public to continue practicing waste separation so we can keep progressing towards a circular economy.”

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A cockroach is more than just an unwanted visitor in your kitchen it’s a linguistic time capsule. English speakers borrowed the word in the early 1600s.

In a new historical linguistics study, Maltese exterminator Arnold Sciberras uncovers the fascinating global diversity of cockroach names, compiling over 200 terms across languages and dialects from 1998 to 2025.

From the well-known cucaracha in Spanish, to wirdiena in Maltese, and zhāngláng in Mandarin, this hardy insect appears in nearly every linguistic landscape on earth.

Sciberras’ study features a comprehensive alphabetical compilation of the word cockroach, shedding light on how language, environment, and culture intertwine.

One striking example is the Gozitan slang term mndibna, possibly derived from Maltese, used to describe infested spaces.

In Samoan, manu uli translates to “black creature,” a broad term that also captures other pests.

In Japanese:  ゴキブリ  (Gokiburi) – Onomatopoeic; “crawling sneak.”

Thai offers a vivid label: แมลงสาบ (malaeng saap), literally meaning “smelly insect.”

These names aren’t just descriptive they reflect cultural perceptions, colonial history, and regional identity.

The English “cockroach” itself comes from the Spanish cucaracha, showing how languages borrow and adapt across borders and time.

Sciberras also notes how some Eastern European languages embed ethnic or national stereotypes into their cockroach terms, a reminder that even pest names can carry historical tension and cultural narratives.

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