Only 10% of plastic packaging recycled in Malta in 2022, European average at 38%

By Colette Konietzny

Konietzny is Sustainability Manager at Tuning Fork

Recycling is perhaps one of those areas which we can never stop discussing. As the production of the objects we consume continues to evolve, so do the methods by which we dispose of them, once their lifespan is over.

In Malta, although recycling has been on the national agenda for many years, the latest data published by Eurostat in 2020 showed that in Malta, only 10% of all plastic packaging was recycled compared to the average of 38% across Europe. This contrast becomes more staggering when one finds that the Netherlands tops the list at 57%.

Personally, I believe that the large numbers of bars and restaurants who to this very day refuse to recycle their waste, play a big role in these statistics which hopefully should see an improvement now that the BCRS scheme is in place and up and running.

An even bigger reason for these poor results is that not enough effort was ever put into the proper development of a circular economy, a model where products and materials are designed to be reused, repaired, recycled, and kept in use for as long as possible.

As with any sector, measures, policies, and initiatives need to be informed. This brings me to the issue of bioplastics where a lot of people, in fact, remain misinformed.

Bioplastics are plastics that are biologically based or biodegradable (including compostable), or both. Compared to conventional plastics, bioplastics are being seen as a promising alternative.

However, as the EU seeks to improve the recycling of bioplastics due to them being promoted as biodegradable and compostable, in Malta the systems to treat these bioplastics are not there yet. Therefore, investing in bioplastics can be more detrimental because as more bioplastics end up in composting facilities, where they do not belong, this material is contaminating the recycled waste causing more damage.

Beyond the bioplastics argument, introducing organic bags was, in principle, a good start. But quick loopholes in the system showed that there isn’t yet enough political will to improve things when it comes to the use of single-use plastic.

The first loophole was that they eliminated the loop. They did so by banning carrier bags with handles, limiting the use to plastic bags without handles, which goes totally against the idea of ‘reuse’.

The second loophole concerns their use. Currently, when it comes to the presence of single-use plastics, these are limited to plastic bearing a thickness of less than 15 microns. So now people not only still use plastic bags but when they need stronger ones, they end up using two, which technically, doubles the problem.

Another loophole concerns the use of plastic plates. While these have been banned, the use of plastic cups remains permissible.

It would help if people knew that everyday items that contain plastic such as cigarette filters and wet wipes, not only should be thrown away in the black bag but people should also know that non-plastic versions of both products exist and these, although still to be disposed of in the black bag, will at least be biodegraded.

It would also help if investors who are thinking of investing in bioplastic packaging looked out for ones that are compostable in the natural environment and not in an industrial composter. Secondly, given that the EU is constantly updating this sector, investors would benefit from keeping an eye on changes in legislation and processes.

Thirdly, producers can help educate consumers better by labelling foods and packages on how best they can dispose of the waste material. And finally, if suppliers can afford to not go for plastic and offer a more environmentally friendly alternative, that would be a great step in the right direction.

Nowadays, it is perfectly acceptable to be sceptical. We can easily understand why a circular economy, even if more sustainable, was never the preferred model when compared to the traditional linear economy, which relies on the extraction of raw materials, production of goods, consumption, and disposal of waste. Put simply: it doesn’t pay.

Unless we take this matter seriously, the ultimate environmental price will be paid by us and by future generations.