Green Dot Malta Limited has called for a meeting with the Prime Minister in a bid to clear problems for the effective implimentation of the packaging waste recovery scheme.
Green Dot Malta is the official sub-licensee of the Green Dot trade mark and forms part of PRO EUROPE, the Brussels-based organisation for packaging waste recovery.
Mario Schembri, Green Dot’s CEO, said that over a year ago, in February 2008, the government published a legal notice where it said that all companies participating in authorised schemes would be exempt from paying any eco-contributions.
“Not only has this not happened but, perversely, member companies have still not received any refunds on the eco-contributions paid by them since 2006.”
He said that since 2006, GreenPak had diverted thousands of tonnes of waste away from landfills and towards recycling.
“Private-led initiatives, similar to GreenPak’s scheme, have led EU countries to achieve high recycling performance, and, at no cost for the tax payer. Instead, in Malta, we have the unfair situation where environmentally friendly bona fide companies are made to pay twice by government, resulting in unnecessary higher cost of living.
“While members forming part of our scheme are paying the real cost for recycling plus the government imposed tax, government remains unsympathetic. On the other hand, if government honours its promise to refund eco tax, recycling in Malta will flourish.”
“Although the 2004 Eco-Contribution Act allows for both tax exemptions and refunds, more than four years later the relevant provisions remain on paper with government seemingly reluctant to abide by its own rules. For years, Green Dot members have acted in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner. Above all, such companies have cooperated with the ggovernment and fulfilled their obligations on waste recycling. Instead of taking the opportunity to lead by their example, government is treating them unfairly. The situation is senseless especially since Malta has the lowest recycling performance in all of Europe,” said Ing. Schembri.
He warned that the company may have to resort to legal action if the situation is not resolved