The government has published a Legal Notice that enables companies that had participated in an authorised waste recovery scheme during the period 2005-2008 to claim back their eco-tax.

Publication of the notice was welcomed this morning by GreenPak.

"During this period, GreenPak was the only MEPA authorised scheme for the recovery of packaging waste," said Ing. Mario Schembri, CEO. "It is companies that were members of our scheme during this period that stand to be rewarded for their commitment towards the environment."

Long regarded as a bone of contention, GreenPak had since 2005 been claiming that companies participating in its scheme were entitled to be exempted from the payment of eco-tax since they were financing the recycling of packaging they place on the market.

Even though provided for at law, Government was however reluctant to release cash. It was only recently, after the Ombudsman expressed his opinion in favour of GreenPak's claim, that the matter began to be resolved.

Last January, the Ombudsman, former Chief Justice Dr. J. Said Pullicino, declared that Government's excuses to deny eco-tax exemptions to those companies participating in organised recycling schemes were unacceptable and could lead to abuse. He concluded that its members have since 2006 been entitled for eco-tax exemptions or tax credits.

The refunds are believed to run into millions of euro.