Senior citizens and Blue Badge holders to get BCRS service at their door

People over the age of 60 will soon be able to book a mobile BCRS machine to come directly to their door, the government announced on Monday. 

The government will also be giving a €100 voucher to vulnerable families to purchase a water filter. 

The schemes were first announced by Robert Abela on Sunday and formally launched at a press conference on Monday morning by Environment Minister Miriam Dalli, Minister for Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights Michael Falzon, and Parliamentary Secretary for Public Cleanliness Glenn Bedingfield.

Both schemes will begin on July 1.

Elderly people, as well as Blue Badge holders, looking to dispose of their plastic bottles will be able to book an appointment for a vehicle equipped with a collection machine.  

The service will start as a pilot project in 20 localities: Marsa, Kalkara, Ħal Għaxaq, Gudja, Mqabba, Qrendi, Birżebbuġa, Isla, Birgu, Valletta, Bormla, Paola, Ħamrun, Ħal Lija, Balzan, Santa Luċija, Ħal Luqa, Floriana, Pietà, and Gwardamanġa.

The locations were selected based on various factors, including local demographics.

To book the service, the public can call 1718 or email bcrs.cleansing@gov.mt. Booking hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday. 

Bedingfield is handed a BCRS voucher. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.

Also from July 1, staff from the Cleansing and Maintenance Division will be present at 11 high-demand BCRS machine sites to assist with maintenance. Personnel will be stationed in two hubs in St. Paul’s Bay, Rabat, Xemxija, Gżira, Ta’ Xbiex, Floriana, Valletta, San Tumas (Marsascala), and two hubs in Sliema. 

Meanwhile, the €100 voucher will be sent by post and can be redeemed at a selection of participating retailers. The voucher is funded by the Climate Action Authority and is aiming to benefit 13,000 vulnerable families.  

Dalli said the goal of the two initiatives is to make it easier for the public to do its part for the environment.  

“They are part of a broader vision of a circular economy where waste is either not produced or turned into a resource," the minister said. 

Falzon said the measures would provide support and peace of mind to families. 

“Despite the significant social progress made in recent years, we remain committed to implementing more initiatives like this. A strong society is one that cares for everyone," he said. 

Bedingfield said the supplementary bottle collection services were clear confirmation that people were always at the heart of the government’s work.  

“When we see genuine commitment from residents to recycle, it is our duty to support them with concrete solutions,” he said. 

The BCRS scheme, introduced in 2022, has come under the government's spotlight in recent months, with authorities reportedly unhappy with the service.

Earlier this year, Robert Abela slammed a planned spike in tariffs imposed by the company, saying he "expected them to improve their efficiency, not demand higher tariffs".