From Mr C. Cutajar

The “polluter pays” principle is considered a good attempt for environmental protection. However, one has to be assured that the money collected from eco-tax will be utilised solely for environmental progress.

The concept by importers and producers to create schemes, which will encourage the consumers to return product containers back to their source, was mentioned in the 2004–2005 budget. The authorities did not provide guidelines for any of these schemes previously.

These kind of guidelines are really important to enhance the process of reusing and recycling in our country. The tax imposed on those who sell was transferred directly and almost wholly to the customer. The aggressive way in which this tax was introduced demonstrated lack of preparation by the government. The general public had the right to be more informed before its implementation. Revision of this tax should been done immediately for the sake of those whose jobs were threatened with the implementation of the tax. A certain plastic bag manufacturing company was not advised in time and was unable to carry out the necessary adjustments, in order to safeguard its workers’ employment.

The echo-effect that this measure should create is that the general public will choose environmentally friendly products and reduce their consumption as compared to the previous years. On the other hand, manufacturers should start to consider seriously how they can use less material in the creation of products. More material should then be collected for re-use and recycling.

Moviment Graffitti supports any kind of initiative that promotes the use of bags other than those made out of plastic, such as cloth and biodegradable

bags. With the use of the latter two we can drastically reduce the 52 million plastic bags used in the previous year and consequently the harm on the environment and our health and that of future generations. However, the government ought to be more careful as to how certain positive measures might affect people’s jobs.

Christopher Cutajar

f/Graffitti Movement