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Malta has started to move from glass to plastic packaging for its soft drink industry this year in accordance with European Union requirements but the accompanying recycling scheme is not yet operational.
The EU now requires that Malta allows competition in the soft drinks industry by allowing plastic bottles. It is expected that glass bottles will be fully phased out as demand from consumers falls.
Soft drink bottlers have been gradually reducing the number of glass bottles used since January 1st, but the EU Waste Packaging Directive also requires they have a functional scheme for collection of both the new plastic bottles and the remaining glass ones.
The government has introduced a temporary solution until such time as they have agreed a deal with private sector waste management companies.
"We are introducing an additional receptacle at each bring-in site that will be dedicated solely to plastic bottles," rural affairs and environment minister George Pullicino told the Malta Independent on Sunday.
Discussions are being held between the Local Councils Association, the Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Federation of Industry, the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.
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