A photo taken by Nicky Pillow and uploaded to social media shows a Sliema Beverage Container Refund Scheme vending machine surrounding by litter.
‘WHY?’ wrote Pillow, with most commenters also condemning the recklessness and environmental damaging nature of the act.
The purpose of the machine is to encourage recycling through monetary incentives. Currently, not every type of bottle will be accepted by the machine as it currently allows people tor cycle plastic, metal and glass bottles.
Having just been launched, some people have lamented that some machines have already been found to be out of order. This could have been the case for this machine, as the person left whatever material they intended to recycle next to the machine.
Meanwhile, NGO Friends of the Earth Malta have welcomed the initiative but also released their proposals to urge those responsible to expand the type of materials which can be recycled through the machines.
They also, along with many other members of the public, urged the increase of vending machines around localities to ease the mode of access.
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