Packaging recovery scheme gets cheaper

The big response to the GreenPak packaging recovery scheme has resulted in a significant drop in the cost of compliance for packaging recovery in 2008.

Companies had until the end of last month to inform Mepa how they had recycled packaging generated in the course of their business last year.

In practice, individual companies find it difficult to recover such packaging generated by their trade. Instead many have opted to sign up with the GreenPak's authorised compliance scheme. When companies voluntarily join GreenPak, their obligations are transferred onto the scheme and GreenPak then recovers packaging waste on their behalf.

A spokesman for GreenPak said yesterday that as the scheme runs a not-for-profit policy the increase in volume registered over the last weeks meant that if the 2007 compliance fees are to be carried forward into next year then, at the end of 2008, there will be a surplus of funds in the scheme.

To manage this surplus before it happens, GreenPak is taking steps to reduce its 2008 fees by at least 30 per cent over the current rates.

"When you take into consideration this price reduction and the imminent refunds on eco contribution, companies should now more readily accept their producer responsibility for recycling packaging," said GreenPak's Denise Vassallo.

As more companies continue to join the scheme, it is not being excluded that further price reductions will be announced before the start of 2008, Ms Vassallo added.

Companies can make use of the various services offered by the scheme by filling in the forms available on the GreenPak website at www.greendot.com.mt.