Matthew Xuereb
Tax-free biodegradable plastic bags 'ruled out'
An exemption of eco tax on biodegradable plastic bags was ruled out because, although it is the more environment-friendly option, the "visual impact is the same", Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said yesterday.
Addressing a press conference in which he announced that shopkeepers had until May 1 to get rid of their stocks, Mr Pullicino said the "aesthetic effect" of biodegradable bags and conventional plastic bags was similar.
"Our aim must eradicate the use of plastic bags once and for all. Differentiating between one type and the other would not help reach this aim," he said.
Rebutting the opposition's argument for a total ban, he said this did not make sense because Malta formed part of the European market and anything available in other EU countries could not be banned only in Malta.
Asked whether he agreed with imposing a steeper eco tax on conventional plastic bags and a cheaper charge on biodegradable bags, Mr Pullicino said consumers would be better off investing in alternative carrier bags, such as cloth bags.
"We simply don't want them anymore," he said emphatically.
The new €0.15 tax announced in the last budget will start being charged tomorrow in a bid to reduce the 40 million plastic bags the Maltese use each year.
The move was met with stiff criticism, mainly from environmentalists, on the basis that it does not differentiate between conventional bags and the more environment-friendly option.
Shopkeepers' concerns on the thousands of plastic bags they have in stock were addressed following consultation after the tax was announced. To make their orders viable, most retailers ordered consignments of between 10,000 and 20,000 bags. These bags can continue to be used until the end of April but retailers still have to charge the consumer a minimum of €0.15 on each bag and punch in the plastic bags, one by one, on the fiscal receipt.
It remains unclear how much the consumer will have to pay because, along with the €0.15 tax, the public has to pay VAT and the cost of the bag, which can vary from shop to shop.
From May 1, whoever produces or imports plastic carrier bags will have to print the name and address of the person registered under the Eco-Contribution Act, the registration number and the batch number of the consignment on each side of the bag.
The font size, which originally could not be smaller than two centimetres, has been halved, accepting criticism that this font size would use up 75 per cent of the bag's printable area, leaving little space for advertising.
If shopkeepers still have stock on May 1, they have two weeks to return the plastic bags to the government, which will refund the amount they had paid in eco tax on those bags against official receipts. The cost of the bag will not be reimbursed and the government will destroy the stocks.
The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprise - GRTU was one of the system's major critics but it is now four-square behind the government after its concerns were addressed. GRTU director general Vince Farrugia said such a measure would mean "plastic bags will die out".
Mr Farrugia said retailers did not want to distribute plastic bags for free because this cost them €3.5 million a year between them. He said 55 per cent of plastic bags used in Malta were distributed by supermarkets, grocers and outlets from where the people buy daily items.
"We don't agree with a differentiation between biodegradable and conventional plastic bags because if bags are cheap retailers will be expected to continue distributing them for free and this is what we don't want," Mr Farrugia said.
He wanted to drive home the point that the GRTU agreed with the measure to eradicate plastic bags not just because of the environmental aspect but also because this would cut unnecessary costs for retailers. Mr Pullicino insisted that the 2004 eco tax regime had not failed because of lack of enforcement but because people were witty and found loopholes in the law.
He claimed that retailers still had large stocks because manufacturers and importers of plastic bags convinced them to purchase more stock. Asked to name such companies, Mr Pullicino replied it was the media's role to name and shame and not the minister's.
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j cassar
Mar 1st 2009, 10:10
Does this mean that the law / measure taken some 4 years ago to use bio/degradable platic bags was a failure ??? A failure because it did not render enough money to the goverment? This is what my impression is....
philip pace
Mar 1st 2009, 09:33
I expected the Consumers Association would voice their opinion about this or are they on the Government side, agreeing all the time to the illogical reasoning coming out constantly and never showing their disagreement.
Again the more the Government and especially Mr. George Pullicino dictate to us the less convincing they are.
This is what I personally hate as the Government is an old patronising group of democratically elected people who are desperate to hang to power, thinking that the electorate is stupid and we don't have any brains.
Check out in the EU if this draconian regulation exists, how it works,how much a plastic bag cost?
Readers please bear in mind that if I shop in Antwerp, I would be given a large plastic with no charge or maybe I charged 1 to 3c for it.
This 15c charge should qualify for the Guiness Book of Records as the most expensive plastic bag in the whole wide world.
I don't believe in what Mr.Pullicino stated. There's no credibility in his words.
It is just an exercise to gather more money. The environment has got nothing to do with it.
This is just a tax over a tax.
george attard
Mar 1st 2009, 08:28
this is all rubbish. if the miister wants us to believe him, he should also eridicate plastic bottles. why are these allowed and plastic bags not?
Anton Portelli
Feb 28th 2009, 22:35
"................he said this did not make sense because Malta formed part of the European market and anything available in other EU countries could not be banned only in Malta."
Except Divorce ?
It is time, yes, that all that is available in other EU countries be made available in Malta. There is no time to loose.
philip pace
Feb 28th 2009, 20:15
So the Govt wants to introduce this tax for tax purposes and for securing that shopowners would use the cash register as well.
I have got nothing against the latter but to charge an exhorbitant 15c on a small plastic bag is unheard of.
Just check with the other EU countries on this issue.
But the Govt won't do this, he doesn't listen to the people and he doesn't care as long his policies are driven down our throats and ruling supreme.
To counter this, I shall use the old plastic bags and the gewlaq so that I won't contribute any single cents towards this unsocial tax.
Re Gerard Cassar:-
Pets are responsible for dirtying the environment and leave a visual eyesore. So the owners of these friendly animals ought to be taxed. This is what should be deduced if we follow Mr. G.Pullicino reasoning.
There are also 'pets' who walk upright, have two legs and talk who are really responsible for the dirtying of the environment. Open your eyes wide and look around and you can see who is really dirtying the environment. Next time compare this with some more realistic.
Shall you use the gewlaq?
I would!
Charles Sammut
Feb 28th 2009, 18:30
Just when I thought I had heard it all, the right Honorable Pullicino comes up with this howler. Visual impact indeed, does he think that everybody is stupid?
J.Bonnici
Feb 28th 2009, 16:41
What are you saying George?
Do you have the cheek to speak about visual impact when you turned Malta into a permanent construction site?
nevise said
Feb 28th 2009, 16:29
i work in the tourist industry, how are we going to explain to customers that we have to charge and extra .15c per bag + vat over and above their bill. Also we might be able to explain to english speaking customers but how are we supposed to do that others that do not????? everyone should be given more time that 2 months to be able to get rid of the stock and have time to order paper or material bags
Gerard Cassar
Feb 28th 2009, 14:57
So prohibition of plastic bags is not ecological but visual.
"although it is the more environment-friendly option, the "visual impact is the same", Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said yesterday.
Hence Perit G. Pullicino has joined hands with the minister of finance to fleece the population because plastic bags hurt the eyes. There are so many situations that hurt the eyes not only of tourists but of local people.
Come next elections voters are to remember that it is not only the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister who are to blame for increased taxation but Perit Pullicino is doing his best to join the group of two.
Pets are responsible for dirtying the environment and leave a visual eyesore. So the owners of these friendly animals ought to be taxed. This is what should be deduced if we follow Mr. G.Pullicino reasoning.
Joe Grima
Feb 28th 2009, 14:48
Watch out fellas. Here comes another tax by this money-hungry, spendtthrift adminiistration! So now we are into "visual impacts" and "aesthetic effects." Fior thsoe uninitiated into politicese, in laymans language those phrases actually mean " Don't care a sh... for your valid argument . It's my excuses that count. "
James A. Tyrrell
Feb 28th 2009, 14:14
I've been coming to Gozo for years and refuse has always been put outside usually on a hook on the wall several times a week using plastic bags. What provision is to be made for refuse collection once these bags are done away with?
Anthony Roberts
Feb 28th 2009, 13:35
If the Government wants to get rid of plastic bags once and for all while are retailers still allowed to distribute them. Why are we being charged for something that we know is unwanted and why are we accepting them, to substitute plastic carrier bags with ordinary plastic bags with no handles is not helping the situation one bit. I am quite happy to take separate bags out with me to do my shopping. Boutiques should have paper carrier bags available for those more delicate items like clothes.
Andrew McPherson
Feb 28th 2009, 12:47
Has anyone thought of the problem of where shoppers are going to put their bags when the go to a large supermarket. Shoppers personal bags are not going to be allowed into the shopping area, that's a certainty, so where can the put them. I'm sure that they will not be able to leave them near the checkout as it will create confusion and the possibility of theft. I would like a sensible answer from someone .
Noel Borg
Feb 28th 2009, 12:43
This is really disappointing that the goverment just kicks in a new tax.. What is worst that it is unclear on various facts. What shall we charge customers, Tax, VAT and cost of bag..? Tax only..? Tax and vat .?. Do we need to take the cash register to be fitted with a plastic bag tax and vat button..? Most of the plastic carrier bags which are reused and reused end up as bin liners, do garbage bags carry the same tax system? Could the tax on plastic bags go for subsidy in purchasing paper bags which are more expensive and less durable? A person or a helpline would be imperative if we have to start charging from next Monday.
Paul Barrett
Feb 28th 2009, 12:26
An exemption of eco tax on biodegradable plastic bags was ruled out because, although it is the more environment-friendly option, the "visual impact is the same", Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said yesterday.
Fine, now you will get our rubbish for disposal without the unsightly plastic bags covering it from flies, containing the smells and protecting it from the elements blowing the rubbish in the streets.
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
Feb 28th 2009, 12:25
Hafna hwienet barra minn Malta issa qed jaghtu basktijiet tal-karta u n-nies 'trendi' drat tohrog bil-basktijiet tad-drapp lesti ghax-xiri
C. Borg
Feb 28th 2009, 10:44
"... along with the €0.15 tax, the public has to pay VAT " why do we have to pay VAT on a tax?
Isn't this a similar argument regarding VAT paid on car registration tax ?
A clarification from a technical person on the subject (and not from politicians) would be welcome.