With over 300 members, the new cooperative operates Malta’s largest waste recovery scheme.
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 Coop gives each member the right of an equal vote on every important decision taken for their benefit by the scheme.
“GreenPak Coop 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 Martin Borg, Acting Secretary of GreenPak Coop. “Moreover, this structure puts us in a better position to raise greater awareness on 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 step further by collectively taking ownership of the scheme. Besides the founding members, other people who are required to recycle may join the GreenPak Coop. There is no limit on the number of individuals that can join the cooperative.
The GreenPak scheme, originally set up in 2005 by engineer Mario Schembri, is a Mepa-authorised scheme modelled on the European Green Dot concept to meet EU packaging waste directives. GreenPak Coop members have direct control of its operations, bringing it closer to other international Green Dot Schemes. The Coop also gives its members and the general public wider possibilities for education and training on better waste recycling.
GreenPak Coop is to be managed by a Management Committee made up of a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary and five other members. Every member who owns a share in the GreenPak Coop has one vote and can participate actively during the general meetings, proposing and voting on motions.
The first AGM will take place in early January where, 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 has also held discussions with the authorities on its position paper, which discussions are still ongoing.