GreenPak, operators of the largest waste recovery scheme in Malta, have applied for an eco-tax exemption on behalf of 53 member companies.

These applications were submitted with the recently formed approving body whose role is to determine which companies are entitled to be exempted from the payment of eco contributions.

The criteria for granting an exemption from payment of eco-tax is set through a legal notice which, among other requisites, requires companies to form part of a Mepa authorised waste recovery scheme and participate in the financing of the recycling of packaging waste.

GreenPak waste recovery scheme was established in 2006 and now has more than 300 member companies working together under a cooperative society that helps finance the waste recovery schemes in many localities in Malta and Gozo.

The approving body is made up of representatives from the Malta Environmental and Planning Authority (Mepa) and the Resources and Finance ministries.

“For over 5 years, GreenPak has been urging the authorities to introduce eco-tax exemptions to companies that are financing waste recovery systems.

“Originally contemplated in the 2004 Eco-Contributions Act, such exemptions have been slow in coming.

“However, rapid progress is now being noted and GreenPak is currently negotiating with the authorities a provisional exemption prior to September 15; the day when the next eco-tax return is due.

“In this way, firms registered with the GreenPak waste recovery scheme will be exempted from paying the eco-tax contribution and will start benefiting immediately,” GreenPak’s CEO Mario Schembri said.

“Through its operations, GreenPak scheme has recovered over 10 million kilogrammes of packaging waste, diverting them from landfills,” he said.