Public Consultation: Single-Use Plastic Products Strategy for Malta 2020-2030

Following the extensive work being carried out by the European Commission on moving towards a Circular Economy, the Single-use Plastic Products Strategy for Malta will be a means which will further help the transition for Malta to move towards a more circular economy and hence closing the loop of products’ lifecycles.

This strategy will help protect our environment and human health from plastic pollution while reducing litter and consumption of single-use plastic products, and increasing the quality and quantities of single use plastic waste collected and recycled. This strategy is a framework acting as a driver that is also intentioned to bring about a cultural and behavioural shift within society in terms of its attitude toward single-use plastic products. The measures highlighted in the strategy should not just be introduced as legislation but should be followed up by further discussions with the various stakeholders, and accompanied by educational and awareness-raising campaigns, in order to ensure that a positive change is brought about. This will ensure that a cultural shift takes place and that the public are aware of the potential benefits that moving away from single-use plastics can have on their everyday life. Providing only a change in legislation does not ensure compliance and will not bring about the essential behavioural change to yield positive results.

The Single-use Plastic Products Strategy for Malta should be viewed as an opportunity which will set the path towards a plastic-free environment. It is to be updated, through periodical review, to ensure that any changes in society’s attitude and items containing single use plastic are addressed. 

Materials made of, or containing plastics are present in many aspects of our daily activities and they constitute an important element of our economy. On the other hand, the biggest challenge faced is that they have low rates of reuse, recovery and recycling when compared with other recyclables (i.e. paper, metals and glass). The majority of plastic waste streams result in being disposed of in a landfill or incinerated, and littered, hence ending up in the sea due to an incorrect disposal method and lack of collection. The aim of the strategy is to provide measures to: