Malta's Beverage Container Refund Scheme exceeded the milestone of 900 million beverage containers collected since its launch, the government said Friday as it added it has introduced a comprehensive package of measures to improve the reliability, availability and accessibility of Malta's Beverage Container Refund Scheme. Particular focus on improving Reverse Vending Machine performance and delivering a better, more dependable service for consumers.
"The collection of more than 900 million beverage containers shows that people are contributing to the environment. Our responsibility as Government is to make sure that the systems we put in place work. We have listened to consumers and identified where improvements are needed. Based on that, we are introducing stronger standards, greater accountability and more accessible collection options. The operators of the Scheme must deliver the level of service that people rightly expect," Minister for Energy and the Environment Miriam Dalli stated.
"Every container collected is one less container potentially ending up in our streets, countryside or seas, and another opportunity to recover valuable materials and put them back into use. Our environmental ambitions must go hand in hand with people's everyday realities. If we want more families to embrace sustainable habits, we must make those choices easier, more convenient and more rewarding. This is how we build a stronger circular economy: through environmental policies that deliver tangible results, services that respect people's time, and a system that works better for everyone," Minister Miriam Dalli added.
The amendments, introduced through Legal Notice 256 of 2026, build on the experience gained since the Scheme's launch and establish clearer rules on the operation, monitoring, and future development of BCRS. They introduce broader safeguards intended to ensure that the Scheme operates transparently, efficiently and in the public interest.
The revised legislative framework places greater emphasis on transparency and accountability across the Scheme, strengthening regulatory oversight and introducing clearer reporting, governance and data-management arrangements. These measures are intended to provide greater assurance over how the Scheme is managed while reinforcing public confidence in its operation.
The amendments to the License Agreement establish minimum service standards for the national network of Reverse Vending Machines. These standards allow the Scheme's performance to be monitored against defined and measurable criteria. The scheme's licensed operator's performance will be assessed weekly against predefined Key Performance Indicators, the government said.
The updated framework builds on a series of operational measures introduced to improve public access and service reliability. These include redistributing RVMs, improving cleaning and staffing at public hubs, emptying machines more frequently, and extending staffing arrangements at high-volume collection points.
The amended Regulations establish a framework for third parties to purchase, install, and operate approved RVMs, provided the machines are fully integrated into the national BCRS system.
This creates new opportunities for additional collection infrastructure to be introduced by eligible third parties, including retailers and other organisations.
The new framework is therefore intended to broaden participation and support the expansion of return options without weakening the integrity, traceability or regulatory control of the Scheme, the government said.
This opportunity for further investment in return infrastructure is complemented by the Malta Enterprise Circular Return Infrastructure Grant Scheme, launched in September 2026, which provides financial support to eligible wholesalers and retailers investing in new automated RVMs and comparable automated take-back solutions.
"Better RVM availability means a better experience for consumers. The strengthened framework gives us clearer standards against which service performance can be monitored and improved," Circular Economy Malta CEO Inġ. Jason Vella said.
The door-to-door collection service for persons aged 60+ and blue badge holders is also fully operational, providing an additional, more accessible return option for them. The service has already facilitated the collection of over 4.6M beverage containers, with more than 39K collection visits.
Operational improvements have also included more frequent servicing of RVM hubs, with additional collections at high-demand locations during the busy summer period.
The strengthened BCRS framework places better service and RVM availability at the centre of the Scheme's continued development. Whilst delivering a more reliable and convenient service for consumers across Malta and Gozo.