FAQs

What is CEMalta’s Role in the Beverage Container Refund Scheme?

Subsidiary Legislation 549.134 establishes the Agency as the Authority entrusted by Government with the monitoring and enforcement of the Beverage Container Refund Scheme.

What are the national targets of the Scheme?

The scheme has two types of targets: Collection Targets and Recycling Targets. This should ensure that the materials being collected will be recycled in line with the Circular Economy principle. The targets are based on best practices Deposit Return Systems in other countries and progressively increase to achieve a collection rate of 90% of containers placed on the market.

Which Associations are involved in the Beverage Container Refund Scheme?

The Scheme shall be managed and operated by a Consortium made up of Producers, Importers and Retailers in Malta. The associations involved in the Scheme are: The Malta Beverage Producers Association, the Malta Beverage Importers Association, and the Malta Beverage Retailers Association, which Associations, through their respective statutes ensure representation of all market players.

Which private stakeholders are participating in the operation of the Scheme? How were these chosen?

The Scheme is owned by three associations that represent large and small Producers, Importers and Retailers. Membership to these respective associations is open to all Producers, Importers and Retailers.

Who and how will the Scheme be financed?

The Company is fully owned by The Malta Beverage Producers Association, the Malta Beverage Importers Association, and the Malta Beverage Retailers Association and operates on a not for profit model. The infrastructure was funded via private investment.

Does the Government have any plans to introduce other schemes of containers and other different packaging waste?

It is the intention of the Government to continue pursuing potential opportunities for the collection and recycling of other waste streams. CEMalta is currently working on a number of waste streams in order to mitigate the effect on the environment.

Which beverages containers are covered by the Scheme?

In-line with the First Schedule of the BCRS regulations, S.L. 549.134, the following beverages fall within scope of the Scheme:

a) Water and flavoured water;

b) Non-carbonated soft drinks;

c) Carbonated soft drinks;

d) Ciders, beers and other malt beverages;

e) Ready to drink coffee;

f) Flavoured alcoholic beverages having an alcoholic content level which does not exceed 5%;

g) Dilutables.

The Scheme includes Bottles or Cans made out of Steel and aluminium, glass, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), with a capacity of between 0.1 L and 3L.

The following beverages do not form part of the Scheme:

-Beverages in refillable containers

-Dairy

-Juices and Nectars

-Wines and Spirits

-Beverages in Carton

-Beverages in HDPE

-Beverages in a Pouch

Why weren’t all the drink containers included?

Initially, the Government is aiming to mitigate waste issues in relation to the beverage containers in question and this is based on how best practice countries operate. However, it is not excluded that other beverage containers are later included in the Scheme or in other potential schemes.

Is there an Online Register of all products registered with the Scheme?

The list of registered products with the Scheme is accessible on: https://bcrsmalta.mt/faqs/. In addition, a search function can be found on the BCRS website at https://bcrsmalta.mt/#barcode-deposit, whereby consumers can enter the barcode found on the label of their beverage container to check if that container can be collected by the scheme.

When will consumers be asked to pay the deposit?

Consumers will be charged the deposit at the point of purchase.

Is VAT on deposits inclusive?

The deposit value shall not be subject to VAT and shall be indicated separately from the price on all receipts and invoices at every stage of the supply chain.

With the introduction of the Scheme, will there be an increase in the cost of drinks?

The deposit is cost-neutral as the consumer will get a full refund when recycling the beverage containers at a Reverse Vending Machine. The Company was set up on a not-for-profit basis working on a least cost principle model.

How do consumers know that a deposit is charged when they buy from a Vending Machine?

As per SL.549.134. for all beverages sold, the total price of the beverage, inclusive of the deposit, is to be displayed and additionally the amount of the deposit which has to be paid by the consumer has to be shown separately.

What can a consumer do if the deposit is incorrectly paid?

CEMalta recommends that consumers send an email on [email protected]

How will consumers redeem the deposit for the containers?

Consumers depositing the beverage containers in a Retail Reverse Vending Machine are entitled to redeem their voucher from that specific retail outlet, and/or its chain of outlets. Consumers depositing the beverage containers in a Public Hub are entitled to redeem their voucher from any retail outlet selling beverages within scope of the Scheme. Consumers returning the beverage containers through manual collection are entitled to redeem the deposit within that particular retail outlet.

Where should the RVMs be located, and how many RVMs are planned to be installed?

About 320 RVMs shall be placed in different strategic locations around Malta and Gozo ensuring an effective geographical spread. A number of RVMs will be placed within supermarkets and major beverage retail outlets, and the remainder will be placed in central public hubs. The map of all RVMs locations is accessible on: https://bcrsmalta.mt/locate/

Who is responsible for RVMs?

BCRS Ltd Malta is responsible for the purchasing, distribution, installation and maintenance of the reverse vending machines.

How should RVMs work?

Consumers will deposit beverage containers in the machines. The RVM will scan the barcode and the typology of the beverage container to confirm if a product forms part of the scheme and to confirm if the product is registered or not, and henceforth, issue a voucher on which there will be instructions on where consumers are to redeem the voucher.

In what condition should the drink containers be when they are thrown into the machine?

The beverage containers must be empty, unsquashed, with the barcode clearly visible, and ideally, with the cap on.

Do consumers get the deposit back in cash from the RVM?

After accepting the beverage containers, the RVM provides the consumer with a voucher which is redeemable in retail establishments selling beverages. The amounts stipulated on the vouchers would be deducted from the consumer’s next bill of purchase.

Can a consumer donate deposits to a good cause?

Yes, the RVMs offer the facility to donate the deposits to Charity instead of receiving a voucher.

How often are RVMs emptied?

Beverage containers deposited in RVMs are compacted and crushed. BCRS Malta has a waste collector with dedicated vehicles, collected on a daily schedule basis. Over and above, RVMs are connected to the IoT (Internet of Things) technology through which the waste collector is immediately notified that the RVM’s bin is full and then takes the clean and uncontaminated collected beverage containers to the clearing centre to be separated into individual material streams and packed efficiently to be shipped off for onward recycling.

Will the RVMs be operational 24 hours a day?

The Operator is obliged to ensure that at least 80% of the RVMs distributed across Malta shall be operational between 8:00 AM and 7:00PM from Monday to Saturday. On the other hand, at least 10% of the RVMs rolled out by the operator shall be available for use and in working order for the remaining time, including all hours on Sundays and public holidays. The RVM locations are accessible on Google Maps and are also accessible on: https://bcrsmalta.mt/locate/

Can the consumer return an empty beverage container manually to retail establishments instead of placing them in the RVMs?

The Regulations allow for cases where retailer establishments manually collect beverage containers, however retail establishments are only obliged to accept the return of beverage containers subject to the empty containers:

· being registered with BCRS Malta Ltd,

· empty and not squashed,

· with the label and a legible barcode

· not contaminated with anything other than traces of the original beverage.

The retail outlet reserves the right to refuse returns of containers that

· have barcodes that are not sold at the retail outlet

· have been purchased over two years ago

· more than 50 containers at the same time

For how long can beverage containers be stored before being disposed of in RVMs?

Consumers can exchange beverage containers for a voucher within twenty-four (24) months from date of purchase.

Are economic operators obliged to host RVM?

Eligible retailers to host a BCRS Malta Ltd Reverse Vending machine have been established through a market study. All allocated RVMs at retail outlets have now been installed.

Where can economic operators apply for RVM rental?

Economic operators who are interested to purchase or lease a reverse vending machine are to send an email to BCRS Malta Ltd on [email protected] to express their interest.

How exactly can a consumer redeem a voucher? Are vouchers accepted at all retail establishments?

If the beverage containers are deposited in a RVM hosted within private property of a retail establishment, the vouchers issued from that RVM may only be redeemed at that particular retail establishment or its chain of outlets. If the beverage containers are deposited within a RVM in a Public Hub, the vouchers may be redeemed at any retail establishment selling beverages that accepts vouchers.

What happens if a consumer deposits a drink container that is not registered with the Scheme?

If a consumer deposits a beverage container in the RVM that is not registered with the Scheme, the machine returns the beverage container to the consumer. Vouchers are only issued for beverage containers accepted by the RVM. In these circumstances , CEMalta strongly recommends that consumers contact BCRS Malta Ltd, whose contact details are accessible on the reverse vending machine or https://bcrsmalta.mt/contact-us/

How should the issue of unregistered drinks be addressed?

The scheme should facilitate the identification of unregistered beverages through the use of smart analytics across the functions of the scheme.

If a consumer throws away a beverage container in the RVM, which was not purchased by the individual, is he still entitled to a voucher?

As long as the beverage container forms part of the scheme and is returned to the RVM uncrushed so that the RVM recognises the barcode and the shape of the beverage container, consumers should get a voucher in return irrespective of who purchased it.

Is there an expiry date on the vouchers?

Vouchers can be redeemed within twelve (12) months from the date of issue.

How do consumers get deposit refunds in the case of online purchases and/or home deliveries?

Beverage containers may be disposed in a privately owned RVM within the premises of a specific retail shop, which vouchers may only be redeemed at that particular retail establishment or its chain of outlets; in a Public Recycling Hub, which vouchers may be redeemed in any retail establishment selling beverages within scope of the Scheme.

Is the mobile application for retailers to verify the validity of vouchers and claim refunds free of charge? Where is this application accessible?

The mobile app for retailers confirms the validity of the voucher and subsequently redeems the voucher. The mobile app for smartphones is downloadable from Google Play and Apple Store free of charge.

Is the registration of economic operators with the Scheme mandatory by law?

Yes.

If an economic operator is the owner of several establishments with the same VAT number, should they be registered separately?

Each establishment falling under the responsibility of an economic operator shall be registered with the Scheme individually, even if the establishments share the same VAT number.

Do retailers (next in line in the Supply Chain) still need to register?

Any economic operator who is making available or intends to make available, on the market any beverage container, shall be registered with the licensed operator.

How does a Retailer know if their Supplier is registered?

Economic Operators have a right to report to BCRS Malta Ltd and/or CE Malta in the case that they are aware that another economic operator is not registered with the Scheme.

Are imports for personal use legally required to be registered?

No.

Are event organisers obliged to register with the Scheme?

Unless the beverage containers are placed or intended to be placed on the market by a sub-contractor, the event organizer is legally required to register with the Scheme.

What happens if BCRS Malta Ltd refused registration of a catering business?

If BCRS Malta Ltd concludes that an economic operator registered as a catering undertaking does not qualify, the economic operator in question has the right to submit the matter to CEMalta.

Who is responsible for beverage containers in catering establishments?

Consumption of beverages on premises within catering establishments would either collect the empty beverage containers and dispose of them in the Public RVM Hubs, or book physical collections with the Scheme Operator in order to get a refund of the deposits paid. Thus, the catering establishment would be responsible for the beverage containers.

Will the Operator provide collection bags and labels with barcodes?

The Operator, BCRS Malta Ltd will provide barcoded tags and dedicated bags specifically used for the economic operator’s physical collection.

How are economic operators reimbursed for beverage containers collected through physical collection?

Information on the payment terms related to the manual collection system established by BCRS Malta Ltd is accessible on: https://bcrsmalta.mt/participation/

How is waste collected from other packaging?

Other forms of packaging waste not falling within scope of the beverage container refund scheme shall continue to be collected by the other waste collectors and existing schemes, in-line with the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations (S.L 549.431).

What are the requirements for monthly reporting to BCRS?

Queries related to the monthly reporting required by Producers and Importers of beverage containers may be addressed to BCRS Malta Ltd. Their respective contact details are accessible on: https://bcrsmalta.mt/contact-us/

What will happen to the drink containers that are collected through this scheme?

Beverage Containers will be sorted in the Hal Far site to then be recycled either locally or exported, always and only through authorised recyclers. CEMalta shall be following this process to ensure that the necessary certificates are provided to ascertain that recycling goals are effectively achieved.

Where will the clearing plant be located?

Ħal Far.