In a statement on Wednesday, BCRS Malta addressed and acknowledged concerns raised by the Association of Catering Establishments (ACE) regarding the storage situation of beverage containers in catering establishments.

BCRS Malta Ltd is the operator of Malta's Beverage Container Refund Scheme, which incentivises the return of single-use beverage containers by applying a refund of €0.10 deposit on the sale of beverages. Consumers and businesses can then regain their deposit by returning the empty container to one of the company's reverse vending machines.

During a press conference held on Tuesday (yesterday), ACE Secretary Matthew Pace voiced the frustrations of restaurant owners, describing the current waste collection system as "laughable" due to the numerous types of waste that need to be separated.

“Restaurants have to store seven different types of waste in their storerooms,” Mr Pace said, adding that the current system must be “completely revamped” to reduce the burden on the catering industry. He emphasised the increasing challenge posed by separate waste collection services, including BCRS and WasteServ, which are complicating logistics for restaurateurs.

BCRS Malta, while recognising these concerns, responded by pointing to the free manual collection service offered to registered catering establishments.

It noted that this service is “designed to minimise the on-site storage of beverage containers” by providing up to 25 free collection bags per month. Additional bags can be acquired at a cost of €3.50 per bag in Malta and €4.20 in Gozo, roughly equating to €0.04 per beverage container.

Collections, BCRS said, can be scheduled through a mobile application, ensuring that establishments can easily manage their waste.

BCRS also reminded catering establishments that no deposit should be charged to patrons consuming beverages on-site, with the deposit applying only in take-away scenarios. This clarification is aimed at ensuring “transparency and fairness” for consumers while simplifying the scheme's implementation for businesses.

The company added that those with a seating capacity of 100 or less can apply for a reduction in credit terms, allowing them to pay within 30 days instead of the standard 120-day credit period. This aims to make participation in the scheme more accessible for smaller businesses.

BCRS Malta reaffirmed its "commitment to promoting environmental sustainability" through the scheme, which has so far seen the collection of “over 408 million beverage containers” since its launch, with 30 million of these coming from HORECA establishments.

The collection rate for 2024 is forecast to reach 84 per cent, surpassing Malta’s 80 per cent target. However, BCRS acknowledged challenges related to the collection of non-compliant items, which disrupt efficiency and pose health risks for employees.

The company expressed its willingness to continue collaborating with stakeholders, including the catering industry, to improve the system, streamline processes, and reduce the environmental impact in line with Malta’s broader sustainability goals.