Two New ‘Money-For-Plastic’ Schemes In Malta So You Can Make Cash While Cleaning Up
As the world begins to really, really realise just how serious an issue plastic pollution is, Malta’s government is launching two new schemes that will see people get paid for handing in plastic waste.
The two schemes are very different, with one being aimed at all citizens while the other is mainly for fishermen or sea-faring professionals – but they both include getting money in return for giving in other people’s trash.
€30,000 has been allotted for fishermen who hand in plastic found in their nets while trawling at sea
Any fisherman who picks up a sizeable amount of plastic in their nets from the bottom of the sea will now be compensated for their effort. Environment minister Jose’ Herrera launched the initiative, saying that it will be the fishermen themselves who will now be contributing to cleaning up Maltese seas.
“We also have an initiative to effect changes to traditional fishing methods, by which fishermen will start using biodegradable material instead of plastic,” he continued.
Anyone looking to take part in this scheme must have a valid fishing license, as well as be authorised to operate fishing vessels for trawling.
Applications for this scheme close on the 28th of December, so if you want to be a part of it, better get in contact with the Environmental Ministry and apply ASAP.
200million plastic,glass &metal containers enter #Malta market annually. 3 out of 4 are dispersed in our seas and landfills. New container recovery scheme will turn tables and recycle 3 out of 4. This is a major step in favour of #circulareconomy -JM @JoseHerreraMP @KarmenuVella pic.twitter.com/bQjDSLbdv1
— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) December 12, 2018
The Recovery and Recycling Agency are set to launch a new refund scheme for plastic, glass, and metal bottles
The RRA, a new governmental agency launched this year by the Environmental Ministry with the express aim of increasing recycling in Malta, has signed an agreement in principle with the private sector.
The scheme would see machines set up around the island where people could insert their plastic, glass and metal bottles, and receive money back – and you can receive a 10 cent refund while using the machines.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the scheme would begin within a year, and is expected to see the private sector invest €10 million for the needed. machinery. He also noted that three out of every four empty bottles end up in the sea or wasted in a dump, and hoped that projects such as these ones would reverse that number and see Malta instead recycle three out of every four bottles.