FOI involvement on the Eco-Contribution Commission

Two F.O.I. representatives, Maria Micallef, general manager, the General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd and myself, were nominated to sit on the Commission on Eco-Contribution. The terms of reference of the commission are:

1. To analyse and give advice on the introduction and operations of private schemes for waste recovery. These schemes are to conform with the Environment Protection Act and its legal notices, and the Eco-Contribution Act;

2. To analyse how the law is being implemented and enforced, and to make suggestions on how these can be improved without excessive bureaucracy; and

3. To give advice on new regulations and legal notices, which will be issued under the Eco-Contribution Act.

The Commission is meeting twice a week. Both MEPA and WasteServ have already made presentations to the Commission. Other presentations will be made by PriceWaterhouseCoopers on the proposed Malta Deposit and Return System and by GreenPak on the Green Dot System.

It was agreed that entities interested in running recovery schemes should pass their suggestions to the commission by the end of the month.

The FOI representatives stated that it is against any form of additional tax, such as the eco-contribution. They also strongly argued that the government should completely exempt any firm from the payment of the eco-contribution if it forms part of a scheme to collect and recycle waste in conformity with EU Directives.

Mr Micallef is an FOI council member and chairman of Environment Committee.