GRTU slams delays in electrical waste directive implementation

The Chamber of SMEs (GRTU) has taken government to task for failing to implement the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive despite its transposition into Maltese law in 2007 (Legal Notice 63 of 2007).

In an article published in its newsletter, the GRTU demanded a "serious explanation", questioning government's motives behind the delay.

"Is it because Government stands to lose €8 million in income? Is it because, for reasons known to Government only, the private business community is not able to take over responsibility?" the GRTU said. "Or is there more than meets the eye over this matter?"

The GRTU also questioned where the waste from electronic and electrical equipment is being stored and how it is being handled by the authorities. "Is there anyone else profitting from the situation as it is?" it claimed.

The GRTU also questioned the role of the European Commission DG responsible for the Environment and speculated whether it was simply unaware of Malta's delays in ratifying the directive or whether it was being presented with "a rosy picture" instead.

The GRTU expressed doubts over Brussels' silence: "Could it be that there is an infringement notice hidden in a drawer somewhere?"

The GRTU speculated whether the Maltese Government was engaged in the practice of "exporting our WEEE back to the community" and called on the government to come clean on the amounts of such waste that were exported, to where, and to whom over the last five years.

It also noted that six years ago, Malta had an obligation to recover 4kg of waste per capita. It said that a wide-ranging revision of the WEEE directive led the EU to impose an added onus on Malta to recover or recycle 65% of such waste by 2016.

"This is a reality and we are running away from it," the GRTU said, arguing that "government is too busy being reactive to situations instead of being proactive."

GRTU maintained that the business community "has been taken for a ride for the last six years over this issue".

It also called on both the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party to commit to implementing the directive as part of their electoral proposals.

"GRTU will no longer ask Government to stand up and be counted on this issue. We will only say that Government has failed miserably towards the business community and also citizens at large."