GreenPak insists reuse and recycling targets for packaging waste should be set at the national level

GreenPak, the leading waste recovery organisation in Malta, has urged policymakers to adopt a more comprehensive and adaptable approach to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) currently under review by the EU Commission.

GreenPak said it believes that setting targets on recycled content, reuse, and refillable solutions should not be set at the EU level but at a national level, taking into account resource u12se and infrastructure available in each country.

During a productive meeting held on 16th May 2023 between MEP Alex Agius Saliba and GreenPak CEO Ing. Mario Schembri, the implications of the proposed PPWR in the Maltese context were discussed at length.

Schembri emphasized that the PPWR must adopt a tailored approach for Malta, recognizing the island's limited resources, particularly in terms of energy and water. Setting national-level targets on recycled content, reuse, and refillable solutions will safeguard the local tourism and industry, key pillars of Malta’s economy. By factoring in Malta's resource constraints, these targets can be both ambitious and realistic, contributing to the sustainable management of packaging waste on the island.

Saliba stressed the importance of incorporating design for recycling criteria to ensure a level playing field. As an island nation with limited reso222urces, including energy and water, it is imperative to adopt targets that account for the unique challenges faced by the Maltese context.

Schembri said that while the PPWR encompasses commercial and industrial (C&I) packaging, the regulations have been drafted in the context of household waste. There exist significant differences between the two waste streams in terms of collection, sorting, and recycling. C&I packaging is less complex than household packaging and almost all of it can be reused or recycled. The PPWR needs to make a clear distinction between household and C&I packaging waste.

The meeting also emphasized the need to ensure compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations, particularly in the context of online sales and marketplaces.

By including these sectors within the regulatory framework, Malta can effectively address the challenges posed by different business models, ultimately promoting a circular economy throughout the entire packaging value chain.