Has anyone measured if the level of frustration among the Maltese people has increased since the introduction of the plastic bottle return system?

This was a question that was asked – using different, harsher words – on the social media one of these days.

From the responses given, it is clear that it has.

Machines that do not work, others that are full to the brim, a long waiting line, bottle codes that are not read by the machine, bottles that come back out of the machine because they have not been placed gently enough or contain a drop of liquid and so are too heavy, outlets that charge the extra 10c but then do not give it back – you name it, you have it.

It is a system that is intended to encourage people to recycle their plastic bottles. By offering the money-back carrot, people are being more careful. As little as 10c may seem these days, if you have a 100 of them you will get €10 back and so, in the long run, it pays to be more civic-minded.

But at the end of the day, it is cumbersome. Customers have been seen carrying bagfuls of such bottles and, although not heavy, three or four can easily fill up the back of the car. Some have tried to pay a visit to one of the many machines more often, which also means time (and fuel) wasted, especially if there is a long queue ahead of you.

The worst part of all of this is that some outlets are charging the extra 10c, put it on your bill if you’re eating out, for example, and then taking the bottle away when they clear the table. So customers are paying an extra 10c but not getting it back. Most customers would not complain about 10c, but it is not right that it is then the outlet which gets that extra 10c from the customer, and an extra 10c when this is deposited in one of the machines or collected.

This new system has also meant that there needed to be a change in the collection days for waste left outside the doorstep. We are in the second week of a new schedule, but in spite of all the publicity, people are still getting mixed up. Black bags are still being left outside on days when there is no collection, while having just one day for the grey bag collection means that homes are ending up cluttered with plastic waste – the bottles which need to be taken to the machines (or to be taken outside the doorstep on the day in question by people who refuse to take them to the machines), and the rest of the recycled waste which can be rather bulky. Good thing it does not give out bad smells, but then it takes up a substantial place; and not everyone has big homes or a garage where to store it until the next Thursday comes.

So, yes, it is understandable that the level of frustration has increased among the Maltese since this system was introduced. It is a hassle, creates an inconvenience, wastes time and is unfair when the extra money is paid but not given back.