GreenPak has been given the green light by the Cooperatives Board to group its 300 members into a Cooperative Society, making it the largest cooperative and waste recovery scheme in Malta. Membership in the cooperative gives each member the right of an equal vote on every important decision taken for their benefit by the scheme.
“GreenPak Co-op is a major achievement for all its members reaffirming a commitment to run a waste recovery compliance scheme aimed at honouring their environmental obligations at the least possible cost for the member companies and ultimately the end consumer rather than for profit-making purposes” said GreenPak Co-op acting secretary Martin Borg. “Moreover, this structure puts us in a better position to raise a greater awareness of environmental issues and a gradual culture change in favour of a more sustainable packaging recycling system in Malta, which is ultimately in everybody’s interest.”
Local and EU regulations require business operators to recycle the packaging waste generated by their trade. Over 300 leading businesses have come together to fulfil their legal obligations under the GreenPak waste recovery scheme. Now, they are taking their commitment to recycle one further step by collectively taking ownership of the scheme. As well as the founding members, other people who are required to recycle may join the GreenPak Co-op. There is no limit on the number of individuals that can join.
The GreenPak scheme, originally set up in 2005 by Ing. Mario Schembri, is a Mepa-authorised scheme modelled on the European Green Dot concept to meet EU packaging waste directives. GreenPak Co-op members have direct control of its operations, bringing it closer to other international Green Dot Schemes. The Co-op also gives its members and the general public wider possibilities for education and training on better waste recycling.
GreenPak Co-op is to be managed by a management committee consisting of a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary and five other members. Every member who owns a share in the GreenPak Co-op has one vote and can participate actively in general meetings, proposing and voting on motions.
The first AGM will take place in early January and among other items on the agenda, members will vote for the first management committee from among its founding members.
Earlier this month, members of the interim GreenPak Action Committee submitted a position paper to the government in reaction to the recent Draft Legal Notices on Eco-Contribution Refunds/Exemptions, calling for an immediate refund due on eco-contributions paid as far back as 2005, full refund/exemption of eco-contribution to companies forming part of a Compliance Scheme since 2005 and full refund/exemption on all waste recovered from the waste stream, including door-to-door, bring-in sites and industrial/commercial outlets.
The interim Action Committee is also currently holding discussions on its position paper with the authorities.