Wholeheartedly, I believe that the absolute majority of the Maltese public sincerely feels more determined to safeguard our environment.
I came to realise this when I assumed the role of Environment Minister, which brought me face to face with citizens from all walks of life, eagerly demanding that the government take action and decisions to that end.
In contrast, our country is still faced with the realities of illegal dumping and excessive littering.
In its electoral manifesto, Labour pledged to place the protection of our natural capital high on the agenda, and through our actions, decisions and holistic vision I will personally see that the much-awaited waste reforms are implemented.
We have shown our commitment through various initiatives carried out by my ministry, through which in recent months alone, over 300 tonnes of waste was removed from Comino and 20 tonnes removed in the rehabilitation of eight valleys. This complements various cleanups – including a national one organised by eNGOs and private citizens.
The government, through the Ministry for the Environment, has issued a public consultation document aimed at diverting in excess of 200 million beverage containers in circulation annually from landfills, and to avoid what is worse, such containers littering our countryside and sea.
In principle, the main objectives of this scheme are to increase recycling rates and reduce litter, whereby a deposit is added to the purchase price and a full refund is given when the container is returned (deposited) at one of the reverse vending machines (RVM), which will be deployed around Malta and Gozo.
Statistics show that only 14 per cent of PET bottles are actually being recycled and only five per cent when it comes to cans made of aluminium.
It is not the goverment which should be ambitious but we as a nation
The cost of not recycling such materials comes at a high price for our environment and adversely affects our health.
It is thus clear that unless we start introducing initiatives such as the Beverage Container Refund Scheme (BCRS), precious resources will keep going to waste.
Deposit systems in Europe have achieved recycling rates of over 85 per cent for their beverage containers. Their systems provide a reliable supply of high-grade recycled material, since the recyclable material is separated at source, thus contamination levels are considerably lower than in other recycling collection systems.
The government has already declared its intention to adopt a circular economy approach through the enactment of new legislation which is intended to shift the mentality from the linear model, in which we produce, use and dispose – most of the time litter – to a more circular approach by keeping the resources in circulation to the maximum extent.
The BCRS will be the first initiative to embark on a circular economy approach.
The consultation document is indicating ambitious targets, with 70 per cent of the containers expected to be returned by the first year in operation. The figure will then increase to 90 per cent by the third year.
It is not the government which should be ambitious but we as a nation. As clearly highlighted by the Prime Minister, it is with a degree of civic responsibility that each and every one of us has to change our mentality and realise that we have to contribute further to separation at source.
The government is striving for a holistic vision for waste management, with sustainability being a core element in each of the processes and initiatives introduced.
The Beverage Container Refund Scheme will prove to be an important step that will instill a shift in mentality and behaviour.
Every plastic bottle, can or glass container has a value, not just a price.
Today we are presented with a opportunity to make a historic step and a change that will leave a positive impact on our future generations.
José Herrera is Environment Minister.