Millions of tonnes of packaging are continuously recycled by the industry. Why this happens and how it benefits society and consumers alike was the subject of an informational seminar organised by GreenPak Ltd at the Chamber of Commerce to commemorate the European Recycling Week.
"GreenPak brings to Malta the Green Dot, a 'tried and tested' system for the recovery of packaging waste. Adopted in 27 countries and with over 19 million tonnes of packaging waste recovered across Europe last year alone, the Green Dot system has delivered consistently for over a decade," said Ing. Mario Schembri.
"Additionally, GreenPak remains the only authorised compliance scheme for the recovery of waste packaging in Malta and has already began recycling packaging."
The Green Dot is the most widely used trademark in the world. It is an international symbol used by companies to show their commitment to finance the recovery of the packaging waste generated through the trading of their products. By joining the GreenPak compliance scheme companies can realise this commitment and by placing the Green Dot symbol on their products, notify consumers of their efforts.
Although companies have a legal obligation to recover packaging waste, so far, in Malta, there has been little enforcement in place. "GreenPak has both the authority and responsibility to ensure that packaging showing the Green Dot symbol is being properly recovered and recycled. Measures are under way to clamp down on those companies exposing the mark to ill repute by not financing the recovery of the packaging generated through trading. Additionally, such companies are irregularly benefiting from the educational campaigns financed by GreenPak which encourage consumers to buy products marked with the symbol," Ing. Schembri emphasised during his presentation.
GreenPak is actively working with consumers to raise awareness on the importance of recovering and recycling packaging waste through regular mass media campaigns. Such campaigns explain the role of the Green Dot mark and instigate customers to buy products that carry this mark to support the efforts made by the industry to protect the Maltese environment.
Ing. Schembri also spoke on environmental taxation and gave an insight on how companies can benefit from the eco-contribution refunds recently announced by the government.
GreenPak believes that the best way to kick-start packaging recovery is to exempt companies participating in its scheme from the eco-contribution and divert the money towards a recovery scheme.
However, given that Government is introducing a system of eco-contribution refunds, GreenPak members may still benefit from such a scheme by presenting a copy of their "recycling certificate" to the VAT office.
Since GreenPak regularly notifies MEPA about its activities, the VAT office has a means to corroborate the claims made by the various companies and be guided accordingly by consulting MEPA.
A copy of the presentation made at the seminar is available for download from greenpak.com.mt.