The Ta’ Paris Middle School within the College of Saint Theresa has already begun implementing a national scheme which reduces plastic waste. The scheme, introduced in this year’s government budget, offers incentives to return plastic bottles instead of throwing them away.

Students in Ta’ Paris Middle School are following a similar system, with each student paying an extra 10 cents when buying a plastic bottle from the tuck shop. The extra 10 cents is returned upon the return on the bottle.

During a visit to the school, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat praised the initiative organised by teachers and students alike. Muscat said he became aware of the programme at the school during a meeting with environmental activists. The government plans to introduce the scheme in 2019, but he was pleased to note that a system is already in place in this school.

The Prime Minister spoke of the results the school programme revealed, which the whole country can learn from. In such a short amount of time, 50 percent of plastic waste generated in the school is being recycled.

Second, it also shows the relationship between temperature and collected plastics. In the warmer months, students drink more and therefore more bottles are collected from school. In winter, students drink less and many take an unfinished bottle of water back home, only to forget to take it back to collect their due.

"I was really glad there didn’t have to be a politician to impose the idea but you understood on your own that you have entered a sense of responsibility. You showed us what is going to happen to the country in a year and half,” said the Prime Minister.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo also spoke of how such an initiative is an example of good education which improves life.

The Prime Minister and Minister Bartalo were greeted by the principal of the college Victor Agius, the Head of the School Michael Vassallo and a teacher who is responsible for the programme, Catherine Mercieca.