
In today’s parliamentary session, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Cleanliness, Glenn Bedingfield, indicated potential government intervention in Malta’s Beverage Container Refund Scheme (BCRS).
This follows Prime Minister Robert Abela’s expression of dissatisfaction with the scheme’s current operations, emphasising that operators should enhance their services before considering cost increases for importers.
The BCRS, launched on 14 November 2022, aims to promote recycling by adding a €0.10 deposit to the price of single-use beverage containers. Consumers can reclaim this deposit by returning empty containers to designated reverse vending machines or public recycling hubs. The scheme’s goal is to collect and recycle up to 90% of such containers by 2026, significantly contributing to Malta’s environmental targets.
Despite collecting over 204 million beverage containers in its inaugural year, the BCRS has faced criticism regarding its implementation and service quality. The government’s recent statements suggest that if these issues persist, it may consider direct intervention to ensure the scheme’s objectives are met effectively.
As discussions continue, stakeholders and the public await further developments on how the BCRS will evolve to better serve Malta’s environmental and economic interests.
#MaltaDaily