The government has asked the Environment and Resources Authority to draw up a strategy and legal framework to effectively address the use of single-use plastic.

“European Commission statistics show that single use plastic is used once for five minutes, but takes 500 years to disintegrate. Malta is following this issue closely, and over the past weeks a number of initiatives were announced aimed at reducing, recycling or reusing plastic.”

The Circular Economy Act, that will soon be launched, will deal with separation of waste where it is generated, with more responsibility included in order to better reach recycling goals, a statement read.

The Beverage Container Refund Scheme  (BCRS) is currently in the consultation phase, the statement added.

Environment Minister Jose Herrera told the ERA to prepare a political framework to address the issue of single-use plastic within four months, which would then be put forward to public consultation.

The minister stressed government’s commitment to protect the environment, and to turn this challenge into a  positive agenda for the country.

He stressed that it is not true that government will burn plastic for energy.