Malta has a big challenge: to try to increase the recycling rate to almost 100 percent by 2026. The goal of the implementation of the deposit, return and refund system, known as DRS, is to go from 20% to 90% in just two years. Malta thus becomes the first Mediterranean country to implement this circular economy model.
Malta follows 12 other EU countries that have introduced the DRS as a tool to significantly reduce litter and increase collection and recycling rates of single-use beverage containers. The deposit and return system will be managed by BCRS Malta, the authorized private non-profit operator of the national beverage container return system.
The organization was formed by associations of beverage container producers, importers and retailers to assume extended producer responsibility on their behalf. The SDDR system developed by Sensoneo serves as the backbone of the entire system, integrating all stakeholders and collecting data from all sources in the process chain.
The implementation of the DRS in Malta has been greatly influenced by the country’s strong tourism. Although its population is only about 517,000, in the summer season tourists often outnumber locals. This reason, among others, led Malta to involve the hotel and catering sector (HORECA) and to set up public recycling centers.
As Edward Chetcuti, managing director of BCRS Malta, explains, “a deposit of €0.10 is added when purchasing beverages in single-use containers within the scope of the DRS. The system covers aluminum and steel cans, and glass and PET bottles with a capacity between 0.1 and 3 liters. Dairy products, juices, wine and alcoholic beverages exceeding 5% alcohol by volume are not included in the scheme.”
Beverage containers can be returned and refunded through retailers or at public recycling centers. Half of the 320 SDDR machines are in stores and supermarkets. Vouchers issued at a store or supermarket can only be redeemed there, a system that is common in most countries that have implemented the DRS.
To balance the market between large supermarkets that have these machines and small stores that do not have them on their premises, a similar number of MDEs are also placed in public recycling centers for people who do not necessarily want to return empty containers to a supermarket. Malta is divided into some 65 localities and in almost all of them there is a public recycling center with MDE. Vouchers issued at these centers can be redeemed at any registered beverage outlet nationwide.
