The Beverage Container Refund Scheme should allow Malta to fulfill its commitments to introduce a national scheme whereby 70% of plastic beverage bottles are effectively recovered and are not allowed to end up in our waters.
It is worth mentioning that the Mediterranean Sea is unfortunately characterized by a high percentage of waste in the sea. In addition, scientific research clearly shows that 70% of the waste in the sea is actually plastic originating from the land.
In addition, scientific research clearly shows that 70% of the waste in the sea is actually plastic originating from the land. The Beverage Container Refund Scheme Regulations, inspired by the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility, and which came into force on 31 July 2020, are intended to implement the provisions of Directive (EU) 2018/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 which amends Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste in relation to beverage containers, and to reflect Article 8a of the revised Waste Framework Directive, Directive 2018/851, and to reflect the definitions and targets introduced through Directive 2019/904 on Plastics to be used only once.
The implementation of the beverage container refund scheme should foster and improve awareness of the importance of waste management as a means of improving our environment through waste reduction, litter reduction and improved social behaviour.
The Scheme aims to foster a culture among public and private stakeholders regarding the economic and environmental benefits of resource circularity and ultimately, diverting waste from landfill. The successful implementation of the Scheme should bode well for the introduction of similar schemes built on the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility to reduce the flow into landfills of other waste streams.
