Greenpak
Malta
GreenPak is Malta’s longest-running packaging compliance scheme, established in 2004 and authorised by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) to recover and recycle packaging waste – as well as WEEE (electrical and electronic equipment) and batteries – on behalf of its members. Run as a cooperative owned by its member businesses, GreenPak serves importers, producers and retailers across Malta and Gozo, helping them meet their legal recovery obligations simply and cost-effectively.
When a company joins GreenPak, it transfers its packaging (and, where relevant, WEEE and battery) recovery obligations to the scheme. GreenPak then organises the collection, sorting and recycling of that waste, reports to ERA on the members’ behalf, and provides the documentation needed to demonstrate compliance.
GreenPak operates a nationwide collection network that combines door-to-door recycling collections in participating localities, bring-in sites, and a network of smart ‘iBiN’ recycling bins fitted with fill-level sensors that optimise collection routes and let residents recycle around the clock. Alongside collection, GreenPak runs ongoing public-awareness and school education campaigns to improve sorting and increase recycling rates.
Today GreenPak has more than 1200 member companies.
System Description
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GreenPak is structured as a cooperative society (GreenPak Co-op Society Ltd.), operating on a not-for-profit basis and owned by the member businesses it serves. Since becoming a Cooperative Society Limited in 2010, the scheme has been governed by and run in the interest of its shareholding members, who can receive refunds as part of the cooperative model rather than generating profit for external owners. The organisation is led by Chief Executive Officer Mario Schembri, who has headed GreenPak since its formation, and is overseen by a board/committee drawn from its membership.
Rather than operating as a single entity, GreenPak today runs three distinct Waste Recovery Organisations, each authorised by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) to recover and recycle a specific waste stream: packaging, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), and batteries and accumulators. This separation allows the scheme to manage the legal, reporting and operational requirements of each stream while offering members a single point of access for all of their compliance obligations.
The system is built on partnership at several levels. Locally, GreenPak works hand-in-hand with Local Councils across Malta and Gozo, many of which have entrusted the cooperative with the management of recycling collections in their localities. Nationally, GreenPak is trusted and endorsed by the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. Internationally, GreenPak is a member of EXPRA (the Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance), the Brussels-based umbrella organisation of not-for-profit, producer-owned packaging recovery systems, giving the scheme access to shared expertise and best practice across Europe.
Communication activities
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GreenPak carries out numerous educational initiatives with the general public such as, amongst others
GreenPak encourages public participation door to door:
Over four million green recycling bags have been given away by GreenPak to consumers. GreenPak has striven to encourage and facilitate the public’s participation in recycling practices, distributing free green recycling bags to households whose Local Council forms part of the GreenPak recycling scheme.
GreenPak’s aim is to further promote “Recycling on Tuesdays”.
In addition to distributing door-to-door recycling bags, GreenPak disseminated educational guidance and leaflets to residents by its appointed recycling advisors. Residents learnt about the direct environmental and economical benefits derived from recycling, as well as what can be recycled in respect to door-to-door collections, and bring-in sites. Furthermore, residents were advised about the civic amenity site options, such as the used battery drop points and the bulky collection services organised by the local councils.
Clean up the Seabed:
Over 350 volunteers and 42 organizations helped in the task of simultaneously cleaning eight locations around Malta and Gozo on the same day! A record number of over 350 volunteers and 42 organisations teamed up with GreenPak to make the 4th Annual Seabed Clean Up Malta’s largest clean up drive on record, extending its annual Clean up event to cover not one, but eight different locations around Malta and Gozo
By coordinating a Clean up of such magnitude, GreenPak highlighted the important message that through the public utilisation of recycling facilities, the majority of plastics, paper and glass can be prevented from entering our seas and thusly avoid adding to the marine dumping ground. As a result of the Clean Up, tons of material were removed from the sea and beaches.
Recycling competitions in schools:
Almost 3,000kg of recyclable waste made up of plastic and paper was collected from primary schools in a collective effort to recycle more and create awareness about the importance of waste separation.
Organised by GreenPak Coop Society, the schools campaign ‘Nirriciklaw l-iskart’ ran for six weeks between April and May 2012.
In all 2,070 pupils participated from nine primary schools. The Eco-Skola committee at each school assisted GreenPak’s initiative and encouraged their pupils to take recyclable waste to school.
Students were provided with GreenPak’s recycling bags to deposit the recyclable material, such as plastic and paper, which they brought with them from home. They also had the opportunity to observe the complete recycling process at the recycling facility.
During the collection phase from each school, Green Gary entertained the pupils. All participating students were presented with stationary made from recycled material, while a certificate with the weight measured was presented to the head of each school.
Prevention
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Contact
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GreenPak Cooperative Society Ltd
St. John Street
Fgura FGR1447
MALTA
Phone: (00356) 21 660233
Fax: (00356) 21 803434
E-mail: info@greenpak.com.mt
Web: www.greenpak.com.mt