Moving towards a circular economy that prioritizes the environment as much as it does profits is the dream of most nations these days. In order for this to be a success, different entities need to come together to provide solutions to challenges that companies would fail if they acted alone. The Beverage Container Refund Scheme, incorporated in 2020 by the Malta Beverage Producers Association, is one such solution but will be taking things to the next level very soon.
Reverse Vending Machines coming to Malta
BCRS Malta Ltd. signed an agreement with Envipco for the supply, installation and servicing of Reverse Vending Machines (RVM). For the uninitiated, RVMs are machines that are able to identify, sort and collect single-use beverage containers. Needless to say, the installation of these machines around Malta and Gozo will be instrumental in the operation of the Beverage Container Refund Scheme and the collection of empty single-use beverage containers, which scheme will commence in April 2022.
The machines will receive empty single-use beverage containers from consumers, in return for a deposit refund. Powered by the latest Internet of Things technology, Reverse Vending Machines comprise the high-tech front-end of this new Scheme that aims to collect and recycle 85% of all single-use beverage containers placed on the market by 2026.
The contract is expected to provide initially for the installation of around 300 RVMs across Malta and Gozo. Initial RVM deployment will commence by the end of 2021 with rapid expansion in support of the Beverage Container Refund Scheme Go-Live date of 1st April 2022.
What’s been said so far
Commenting ahead of the signing of the agreement, BCRS Malta chairperson Mr Pierre Fava noted how the signing was an important milestone for the country as it sought to protect the environment in the battle against climate change.
“Having led this initiative over the last three and a half years, it now gives me great pride to make such a significant step forward towards delivering a very tangible environmental initiative for our country that will have a lasting impact for generations to come,” Mr Fava said.
CEO Ing. Edward Chetcuti echoed the sentiment, stating: “Key to this award is Envipco’s understanding of our program needs along with their extensive experience of global Deposit Refund Schemes (DRS). Envipco’s RVM product range combined with its strong service attitude and commitment is especially well suited for the Malta DRS. We look forward to working with Envipco and their local partner Joseph Cachia & Son Ltd (JCS) as we embark on this important circular economy initiative for Malta”.
Mr Simon Bolton, CEO of Envipco added, “We are privileged to have the opportunity to support BCRS as they implement a deposit scheme in Malta. It shows the strength of our technology platform and our focus on partnering with customers to offer an excellent solution. With an exceptional local partner in Joseph Cachia & Son Ltd., we look forward to delivering this system and supporting Malta as they make another important step to a circular economy.”
For more information, visithttps://bcrsmalta.mt/
About BCRS Malta Ltd.
The Beverage Container Refund Scheme, which will enter into force in Malta in April 2022, is intended to close the loop on the production cycle of single-use beverage bottles and cans. In the world, tonnes of single-use beverage containers are produced each year, with a great amount of them ending up being disposed of in less than careful ways – polluting our seas and the environment at large.
The Beverage Container Refund Scheme will address this, by actively incentivising their return for a refund, effectively translating a problem into an opportunity – waste into a resource! BCRS Malta Ltd. is the licensed operator for Malta’s upcoming Beverage Container Refund Scheme – a not-for-profit company incorporated by three associations representing Malta’s beverage market – the Malta Beverage Producers Association, the Malta Beverage Importers Association and the Malta Beverage Retailers Association.
The company shall assume the responsibility for the nationwide collection of beverage container single-use waste on behalf of producers, retailers and catering undertakings. In order to achieve this goal, BCRS Malta Ltd. is investing over €15 million in private capital infrastructure for a system of front-end and back-end beverage container recycling. The model underpinning the new Scheme for recycling of beverage containers is the Deposit Refund System, used successfully internationally, which shall be implemented in Malta from the 1st of April 2022.
The Beverage Container Refund Scheme will incentivise the return of single-use beverage containers by applying a refundable deposit of €0.10c on the sale of beverages in scope. These include water, carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, ciders, beers, ready to drink coffee and dilutables in glass, PET or metal bottles and cans. A network of Reverse Vending Machines shall be available to consumers all over Malta and Gozo for returns of beverage containers, acting as the front-end of this innovative beverage container recycling system powered by the latest Internet of Things technology.
And we are committed! The Beverage Container Refund Scheme plans to achieve high recycling targets, aiming for 85% returns of all beverage containers by 2026.
