NEWS | Wednesday, 06 February 2008

Constituted bodies obtain eco-contribution exemption for waste packaging scheme members

The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise expressed its satisfaction that after discussions between four constituted bodies (Chamber, Malta Federation of Industry, Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, and The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises-GRTU) and the authorities, Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino announced that businesses would be exempt from eco-contribution payments on packaging once these join a packaging waste authorised scheme.
Pullicino confirmed this during his speech at a seminar held last Wednesday week entitled ‘Tackling Waste Together – turning obligations into opportunities’ which was co-organised by the Malta Business Bureau (MBB) and Bank of Valletta (BOV).
In addition to this announcement, during the same seminar, an official from the same Ministry said that the task force between representatives of the Chamber, FOI, MHRA, GRTU, the Local Councils’ Association, the Environment Ministry and the Ministry of Finance was close to set up a temporary collection mechanism which would include collections for recyclable waste and others for household/organic waste.
This would also enable the Chamber in coordination with the other organisations to set up a not for profit system which will take on the obligations of all waste producers at advantageous, transparent and competitive fees.
The Chamber said it was adamant that together with the other constituted bodies, this scheme would be up and running in the very near future, and the same organisations would soon be organising meetings with interested stakeholders and members to explain how the system would be operating and how this could be improved further in the interest of all.