Updated: GreenPak companies see red over missing exemptions

Forty companies participating in the GreenPak Scheme for the recovery of packaging waste have filed a judicial protest against Resources Minister George Pullicino and Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, complaining that exemptions from the payment of eco-contributions have not been observed.

They complained that although a 2008 legal notice exempted them from paying eco-contributions as long as they took part in a waste recovery scheme, they were still being charged the contribution.

The legal notice provides exemptions to companies that participate in waste recovery schemes, as is the one operated by GreenPak.

The companies said the mechanism under which they could apply for the exemption had not been set up yet and the application forms were not available.

They had recently been asked to pay the eco-contribution even though they were exempt from paying.

The judicial protest called on the ministers to abide by the law and held the government responsible for damages.

CHAMBER BACKS ACTION

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry said it was supporting a group of its members who, in their own right, had decided to file the judicial protest.

"As previously stated, Government can no longer tell the law-abiding business community to wait for the exemption that is rightfully theirs at law and meanwhile expect them to incur additional and unnecessary costs," the Chamber said.

"In the interest of fairness, therefore, the Malta Chamber insists that the LN 84/2010 is implemented forthwith and in its entirety."