BCRS container collection services to be extended across the country

Beverage Container Refund Scheme (BCRS) container collection services will be extended across Malta and Gozo, the public cleanliness ministry announced on Wednesday.

The new service will cost government €1.2 million through an investment in new vans manufactured by Remautic and an improved IT system to improve the BCRS container collection system.

Last July, the division launched a pilot project that involved 30 localities across Malta. After eight months around 1.3 million containers were collected, demonstrating strong public interest in the service.

In the past each van could serve around 40 residences per day. This number is now projected to rise to about 60 residences per day.

“Everyone has a role to play in our environmental responsibility, but for that to happen, the system must be accessible to all,” environment minister Miriam Dalli said during the announcement.

The minister added that the goal is to create a system that works and which reaches everyone on the island.

Present during the announcement was Parliamentary Secretary for Public Cleanliness, Glenn Bedingfield, in the presence of the CEO of Circular Economy Malta, Jason Vella, and the Director General of the Cleansing and Maintenance Division, Ramon Deguara.

Launched in 2022, the scheme requires beverage producers and importers to pay an extra 10-cent charge per container, which is then passed on to consumers. Consumers can reclaim the deposit by returning used containers to designated recycling points. 

The scheme has been instrumental in rapidly boosting bottle recycling in Malta.