GRTU ‘gave wrong advice’ on packaging scheme

The Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU gave wrong advice to Maltese traders, according to GreenPak, a packaging waste recovery company.

GreenPak chief executive Mario Schembri said that between 2006 and 2008, when Maltese traders could either join GreenPak for packaging recycling or engage in self-compliance, the GRTU had advised traders not to join a compliance scheme.

“Those traders who followed GRTU’s advice now find themselves in hot water for having failed to comply with waste packaging regulations,” he said, adding that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority was issuing fines for non-compliance.

EU waste packaging regulations make Maltese traders responsible for setting up systems for the collection and recycling of packaging waste generated through their trade. They can either set up their own take-back system or join a scheme to ensure legal compliance.

Green Dot Malta Ltd was incorporated in 2004 as GreenPak Ltd and was licensed by Der Grune Punkt Duales System Deutschland GmbH to use the world-known Green Dot trademark. The GRTU, through a subsidiary company, launched its waste recovery scheme under the name Green.Mt Ltd in 2007.

In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Schembri quoted parts of a letter, sent to traders in 2007, in which GRTU director general Vince Farrugia advised them that: “You are not obliged to join any scheme for now and joining now may put you in a difficult position later.”