10.04.2018

Resource, Recovery and Recycling Agency launched

During a press launch held in October of 2018, Environment Minister Jose Herrera announced the establishment of the Resource, Recovery and Recycling Agency. The Agency was entrusted by Government as being the competent entity responsible for fostering and facilitating a shift towards the Circular Economy. Marc Muscat was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Agency.

The Minister noted that the Agency’s main task is to ensure that the targets set by the EU in relation to Waste Reduction and Recycling are met. Thus, the Agency aims to divert waste away from the landfill by promoting individual and corporate responsibility, creating frameworks for the recovery and recycling of waste, and enhancing the use of waste as a resource. One such stream is in fact the bottle refund scheme, which was announced earlier in 2018 and is planned to be operational by end of 2019.

The Minister also highlighted that one of the tasks of the Agency shall be to draft and implement a national strategy which presents the government’s vision regarding the Circular Economy and lays down the main themes that the Agency shall explore in its aim to promote and support the Circular Economy.