Eco-tax exemption for packaging waste scheme members

The Chamber of Commerce has welcomed an announcement by Environment Minister George Pullicino that businesses will be exempt from eco-contribution payments on packaging once they join a packaging waste authorised scheme.

The minister made his statement during a seminar entitled Tackling Waste Together - turning obligations into opportunities, which was co-organised by the Malta Business Bureau (MBB) and Bank of Valletta (BOV).

The exemption will start for the beverage sector on April 1, 2008 and for all the other sectors from July 1, 2008.

During the same seminar, an official from the Environment Ministry referred to the task force between representatives of the Chamber, FOI, MHRA, GRTU, the Local Councils Association, the Environment Ministry and the Ministry of Finance, saying it was close to setting up a temporary collection mechanism which would include collections of recyclable waste and other household/organic waste.