Reprieve for elderly as government set to trial BCRS bottle pick-up scheme
Pilot project to start on July 1
The government is set to launch a pilot project that will allow people over the age of 60 and blue badge holders to book a van to pick up their recyclable bottles and cans.
Speaking during a ONE TV discussion programme on the environment, Prime Minister Robert Abela said the pilot project is set to launch on July 1 and will extend to 20 localities.
Under the new pick-up scheme, elderly people will be able to book a pick-up of their bottles and cans and receive the normal BCRS voucher in return.
No further details about the pilot project were given.
Abela said the government had entered into negotiations with the scheme’s operators about improving the service.
Under the scheme, consumers pay a mandatory 10c deposit on all eligible bottles and cans. The deposit is then redeemed once the bottle is deposited in a BCRS machine.
Earlier this year, the prime minister slammed the scheme’s operators for increasing its tariffs for processing bottles and warned that if it leads to an increase in prices, he would be “on the side of the people”.
He said he expected the company to “improve their efficiency, not demand higher tariffs".
New ferry landing in Bugibba
During the discussion programme, Abela said a new ferry landing will be inaugurated in Bugibba.
He said the landing will act as a new stop for the fast ferry service between Malta and Gozo.
The prime minister also touched upon various government initiatives to improve the environment.
He said the ship-to-shore project had improved air quality in the Grand Harbour area by 90% and will be extended to the freeport.
The project allows cruise liners to hook up to an electricity supply on shore, meaning they do not have to keep their engines and generators switched on while in port.
Abela also touched upon plans for a new waste-to energy plant.
The prime minister said in the past, once landfills reached capacity they would be sealed, and new virgin land would be taken up for further dumping.
With the waste-to-energy project, waste will now be turned into a resource, he said.
The €600 million project, which was originally meant to be operational by 2023, has been beset by delays, including a court ruling annulling the initial contract award