Traders, importers, manufacturers and other businesses whose products create packaging waste on the Maltese market are legally obliged to collect and recycle such packaging.

GreenPak was established in 2005 as a MEPA Authorised Compliance Scheme to accept this obligation on behalf of companies who are unable to collect and recycle packaging waste independently.

To fulfil these obligations, GreenPak manages numerous collection and recycling systems across Malta and Gozo. Concurrently, GreenPak runs various educational programmes in schools, industry and the community in conjunction with many Local Councils.

GreenPak also supports companies seeking to improve the environmental compatibility of their packaging through adequate choice of materials, reduction in size and/or weight.

If you are a trader, importer, manufacturer or run a business which creates packaging waste, then according to the Packaging Regulations you are defined as "producer" of packaging waste.

No. Legal Notice 84 of 2010 states that, as a member of GreenPak you are granted an exemption from payment of eco-contribution on packaged goods.

GreenPak will help you apply for such an exemption. More details are found in the Eco-Contribution section.

If you are a trader, importer, manufacturer or run a business which creates packaging waste, then every year you need to register with MEPA as a "producer" of packaging waste.

If you have never registered with MEPA before and have been in business for some years, you are also required to register with MEPA for the previous years in which you were in business.

We take care of annual MEPA registration forms for GreenPak members.

Yes. At GreenPak we can help you by:

• Providing you with the necessary support to meet your waste packaging requirements

• Assisting you in completing MEPA registration forms for previous years

• Taking care of all your future MEPA annual registrations, once you are a member of this scheme.

No. Unfortunately, nobody can turn back the clock!

Yes. The packaging regulations are only applicable to "producers" of packaging waste.

You can still play your part by adopting good recycling practices in the running of your business.

Find out how here.

Yes. The Packaging Regulations do not make any distinction on the amount of packaging your business generates.

No. The Packaging Regulations are very clear. If you are a trader, importer, manufacturer or run a business which creates packaging waste, then you are deemed to be a "producer" of packaging waste.

As a member of the public, you should still use bring-in sites and other collection systems, such as the weekly recycling bag collections run by GreenPak through various Local Councils.

It is good practice to re-use packaging in any way possible.

If you are a trader, importer, manufacturer or run a business which creates packaging waste, then you are still a "producer" of packaging waste and the Packaging Regulations still apply to you.

Consumer packaging is the packaging that is sold with the product and ends at the consumer. Examples are bottles, carton boxes, jars. etc.

Transport packaging, also sometimes referred to as "Back-end Store" is packaging which remains in the store or warehouse. Examples are the outer boxes, pallets, shrink-wrap, metal straps etc.

There are numerous ways to calculate your packaging weights.

GreenPak provides weight details on the most commonly used packages, which can be used to estimate the amount of packaging waste that you produce.

GreenPak members can access this list in the Members Area, whilst non-Members can view a sample of this list here.

At the beginning of the year, we ask you to provide us with the estimated packaging quantity you intend to place on the market in the year ahead, by completing the "Packaging Declaration Form".

When the year is over, you would then be asked to update this information by the real quantity of packaging that resulted from your trade

This update needs to be sent to GreenPak by May.

Joining GreenPak is free, hence the amount you pay depends only on the quantity and type of packaging your business generates.

The cost is calculated by looking up the rates per tonne in our current Price List.

No. This is not necessary.

However it is recommended that you adopt good environmental practices in your business and GreenPak can help you in this.

Find out more here.

Yes. The waste carrier you are using is simply taking away your waste.

The Packaging Regulations specify that all "producers" of packaging waste must collect and recycle the packaging they create by their trade.

The best way to fulfil this obligation is to join GreenPak.

Yes. We offer collection services to our members who store their packaging waste separately (cardboard, plastic, etc) and in bulk.

For small businesses, you can use any of the GreenPak collection points around Malta and Gozo or use any of the specific collection systems we run in conjunction with your Local Council.

Check details here or contact your Local Council directly for collection times and frequency.

Yes. Any member of the GreenPak scheme can become a shareholder of GreenPak Coop Society Limited.

Learn why you too should become a shareholder in the GreenPak Coop.