BCRS Malta, a not-for-profit Company dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability,
acknowledges the concerns raised by the Association of Catering Establishment (ACE) regarding the storage of beverage containers as part of the Scheme.
Registered catering establishments can benefit from a free manual collection service, designed to reduce the need for on-site storage of single-use beverage containers. This service offers up to 25 free bags per month for the collection of containers, with the bags and tags provided by BCRS Malta. This can be done by simply booking the collection from a dedicated mobile application that is provided to the establishment free of charge. Should businesses require additional bags, these can easily be arranged at a minimal cost of €3.50 per extra bag in Malta and €4.20 in Gozo – equivalent to around €0.04 per beverage container.
Additionally, catering establishments with a seating capacity of 100 or less may apply for a
reduction in credit terms from 120 days to 30 days from the end of the collection period, further easing participation in the scheme.
BCRS would like to remind the public that no deposit should be charged by catering
establishments when patrons consume beverages on-site. The deposit is only applicable in take-away situations or when the consumer takes the beverage container with them after dining. We encourage all businesses to adhere to these regulations to ensure transparency and fairness for consumers.
BCRS’s operational model, endorsed by Maltese regulatory bodies and the European
Commission, reflects a collaborative effort between private entities, government support, and legal compliance. Our focus remains on upholding Circular Economy Principles by managing the collection of plastic, metal, steel, and glass beverage containers in a sustainable and efficient manner.
It is also worth noting that the Company encounters challenges with items collected that fall outside the scope of the Scheme, including non-compliant beverage containers, hazardous waste and others. These instances not only disrupt the efficiency of the system but also pose health and safety risks to its employees. BCRS appeals to all stakeholders to ensure only eligible beverage containers are included in collections.
The Beverage Container Refund Scheme is an essential part of Malta's commitment to reducing waste and promoting recycling, and its success depends on the collective effort of all stakeholders, including the business community and the general public. BCRS remains fully open to dialogue and cooperation with all sectors to improve and streamline the process for everyone involved.
BCRS remains dedicated to continue reducing the environmental impact and further enhancing the circular economy. Together, with collective responsibility and commitment, we can achieve a lasting positive change, as evidenced by the over 408 million beverage containers that have been collected since the Scheme’s inception as of September 2024, of which 30 million came through HoReCa establishments participating in the aforementioned manual collection service. This year’s collection rate currently stands at 81% with a forecast collection rate for 2024 to reach 84%, thus surpassing the 80% target set for Malta.
Finally, BCRS would like to reaffirm its commitment to continue working collaboratively with
catering establishments and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth operation of the scheme, which plays a vital role in achieving Malta’s environmental goals.
