Environment and Resources Authority (ERA)

Ambient Quality and Waste Unit

Environment and Resources Authoirty

Hexagon House,
Spencer Hill,
Marsa, MRS 1441,
Malta

1 July 2025

1 July 2025

1 July 2025

Malta compiles this report using a variety of data sources. Waste management facilities and waste brokers accepting, transferring, or exporting different packaging waste streams are required to submit annual reports to the competent authority. These reports must include data such as the quantities by EWC code, the origin of the waste, and its final destination. The submitted data is reviewed and cross-checked, including validation through the exports database held by the authority.

Additionally, annual reports from Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) are a key source of information. These reports provide data on the quantities of packaging materials placed on the market by producers participating in the schemes, as well as the quantities of packaging waste collected through curbside and recycling point collection systems. The national register of producers placing packaging and packaging materials on the market also supports the data compilation process.

Malta reports in accordance with the new rules laid down in Article 6(a) to 6(d) of Commission Decision 2005/270 and according to the new format for reporting.

For this reporting cycle, Malta did not apply average loss rates. However, due to the absence of operational recycling facilities in Malta for plastic packaging, actual recycling rates were requested from facilities abroad. These rates were used to calculate the recycled amounts of plastic packaging waste. In cases where official recycling certificates were not available, Malta applied the EU average recycling rate for plastic packaging.

Table : Institutions involved in the collection of data and distribution of tasks

R/D codes from Annexes I and II of Directive 2008/98/EC are the only ones used to describe the treatment operation.

R/D codes from Annexes I and II of Directive 2008/98/EC are the only ones used to describe the treatment operation.

Since the register of producers of packaging and packaging material placed on the national market does not cover the whole market, estimates are carried out in order to determine the amount of packaging waste generated from free-riders, producers exempt through the de minimis clause, e-commerce and possible under declarations. To determine this difference in the generation of packaging waste, Malta makes use of a statistical model which takes into account estimations of the packaging waste generated from the above-mentioned sources.

Not applicable, no wooden packaging repaired for reuse was recorded. 

Not applicable, metals in incineration bottom ash (IBA) was not recorded. 

Several of Malta's main producers placing glass beverage bottles on the Maltese market have set a deposit refund scheme to collect glass bottles for reuse .Under this scheme,  customers are charged a refundable deposit for each returnable bottle purchased, and is reimbursed entirely when the empty bottle is returned back. The producer then collects these empty bottles to reuse them for multiplecycles until the end of their lifespan.

Not applicable, no other recovery was recorded.

Authorised waste management facilities are permitted to temporarily store waste, including packaging waste.  As a reporting obligation, WMF are required to report their inputs and outputs according to EWC code, together with their opening (stored on site from previous year) and closing stock (stored on site at the end of the reference year).

The below information was obtained by a direct reading reported in the Annual Environmental Reports submitted by the waste management facilities (WMF):

• Packaging waste kept in storage at end of year 2022 (in tonnes): Glass: 547t;
• Metal: 354t; Plastic: 17t; PP&CB: 677t;
• Wood: 6t;
• Mixed Packaging: 910t; Composite Packaging: 50t.

Packaging waste kept in storage at the end of year 2023 (in tonnes):

• Glass:1064.223t
• Metal:19.142t
• Plastic:811.455t
• PP&CB:1102.926t
• Wood:300t
• Mixed Packaging: 150t

Malta uses multiple data sources to compile this report. Waste management facilities and waste brokers accepting, transferring and exporting different packaging waste streams are required to submit  annual  reports to the ERA documenting their data (including quantities by EWC code, origin of waste and its destination). Moreover, annual reports submitted by Producer Responsibilty Organisations serve as an   important data source to this report. From these reports, data on the quantities of packaging material and packaging placed on the market by the producers who participate in the schemes and, quantities of packaging waste collected from curbside collection and recycling points collection system in local councils are gathered. Furthermore, the register of producers placing on the national market packaging and packaging material is also a useful source when compiling this report.

Packaging waste generated: all packaging waste generated is based on data reported by self-compliant producers and PROs. Since the register of producers of packaging and packaging material placed on the national market does not cover the whole market, estimates through a statistical model are carried out to determine the amount of packaging waste generated from free-riders, producers exempt through the de minimis clause, e-commerce and possible under declarations.

Packaging waste treated: given that Malta relies on the export of waste for recovery, the amounts of packaging waste recycled and recovered are based on the amount exported for such treatment. All exports of packaging waste are reported to the ERA and this data is then used to calculate the amount of packaging waste recycled or recovered.

The amount of packaging waste generation and treated refer to the total amount of packaging waste generated and treated in the whole of Malta. 

All data is at the national level.

The data is for reference year 2023

Not applicable

Tonnes

Calendar year

S.L. 549.43 Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations;

S.L. 549.141 Extended Producer Responsibility Framework Regulations. 

Producers Responsibility Organisations and self-compliant producers placing packaging or packaging material on the national market are obliged to use the service of an Auditor, approved by ERA, to certify that all the information reported is in conformity with the obligations set in the relevant legislation.

Waste management facilities and waste brokers are required to submit an audited annual environment report to the ERA, in formats established by the ERA, indicating the amounts of waste received, exported, the final treatment operation and the final destination.

All data which is reported under the WASTE_PACKDAT_A is not directly traceable to any particular economic operator, and so confidentiality requirements do not apply.

All data which is reported under the WASTE_PACKDAT_A is not directly traceable to any particular economic operator, and so confidentiality requirements do not apply.

Currently the ERA does not publish any release calendar.

Currently the ERA does not publish any release calendar.

Currently the ERA does not publish any release calendar.

Data is disseminated 18 months after the end of each reference year.

Not applicable, the ERA does not issue a news release.

Not applicable, the ERA does not issue publications.

Not applicable, the ERA does not publish online databases.

Not applicable, the ERA does not publish microdata access.

Not applicable, the ERA does not publish other forms of dissemination. However, data is provided upon requests. 

Packaging waste statistics are produced in line with the Guidance for the compilation and reporting of data on packaging and packaging waste according to Decision 2005/270/EC.

Each reported dataset under Decision 2005/270/EC is accompanied with a quality report.

This quality report describes the sources and methods that are used by the ERA to generate the required statistics. Various data sources, namely PROs, self-compliant producers, waste management facilities and waste brokers are used to compile this report. Cross-checks between different data sources are carried out by the ERA to verify traceability to eliminate double counting and ensure accuracy of the reported data.

Verifications are carried out by the ERA by cross-checking the information submitted by economic operators to other data sources, including audited reports submitted by the PROs, self-compliant producers and waste management facilities. These verification processes allow the ERA to report accurate and reliable data.

These statistics are primarily compiled in fulfilment of the reporting obligations under Directive 94/62/EC. 

However, reported data is shared with the general public upon request to the ERA.

No measures are in place to determine user satisfaction.

All mandatory data is reported.

Since the register of producers of packaging and packaging material placed on the national market does not cover the whole market, assumptions are taken in order to determine the amount of packaging waste generated from free-riders, producers exempt through the de minimis clause, e-commerce and possible under declarations. To determine this difference in the generation of packaging waste, Malta makes use of a statistical model which takes into account estimations of the packaging waste generated from the above-mentioned sources. 

Furthermore, for the purpose of this report, ALR were not applied however the amount recycled is based on sorted waste exported to the recycling facility. Having said so, for plastic packaging waste, Malta requested actual recycling rates from recycling facilities abroad, since no recycling facilities are operational in Malta. These recycling rates were then applied to determine the amount of plastic packaging waste recycled. Where such certificates were not available, Malta applied the EU average recycling rate for plastic packaging.

The information in this section is to provide an overarching understanding of the accuracy of any statistical surveys used relating to packaging waste. Some of the information may be available in previous questions.

The information in this section is to provide an overarching understanding of the accuracy of any statistical surveys used relating to packaging waste. Some of the information may be available in other concepts.

Not applicable, since no sampling was required.

Not applicable, since no sampling was required.

Economic operators are required to submit their annual report by the 4th month after the end of the reference year. The submitted data is then verified by the ERA with the aim to compile the packaging and packaging waste report. Data is reported to Eurostat 18 months after the end of each reference year. 

Data is reported to Eurostat 18 months after the end of each reference year.

Not applicable

There were no changes in the calculation method for the reported data on waste treatment when comparing the current reference year with reference year 2022. 

Not applicable.

The data are internally coherent. 

Explanation detailing the causes of the tonnage difference (in relation to which waste streams, sectors or estimates have caused the difference, and what the underlying cause is) for any component of packaging waste generated and recycled which shows greater than a 10 % variation from the data submitted for the previous data year.

Not applicable.

Not applicable. 

Data revisions are carried out only when required. 

Malta uses multiple sources to compile this report. Waste management facilities and waste brokers accepting, transferring and exporting different packaging waste streams are required to submit on annual basis audited reports to the ERA documenting their data (including quantities by EWC code, origin of waste and its destination). Such reports are reviewed, cross-checked and are further validated by looking at the exports database. Moreover, annual reports submitted by Producer Responsibilty Organisations play an important data source to this report. From the latter reports, data on; quantities of packaging material and packaging placed on the market by the producers who participate in the schemes and, quantities of packaging waste collected from kerbsite collection and recycling points collection system in local councils are gathered. Furthermore, the register of producers placing on the national market packaging and packaging material is also a useful source when compiling this report.

Not applicable, since Malta uses the put on the market based on EPR approach (Approach 1) to estimate the amount of packaging waste generated. 

Not applicable, since Malta uses the put on the market based on EPR approach (Approach 1) to estimate the amount of packaging waste generated. 

Data is collected on an annual basis. 

All relevant economic operators, including PROs, self-compliant producers, waste management facilities and waste brokers are required to report to the ERA on an annual basis. 

Not applicable, since Malta uses the put on the market based on EPR approach (Approach 1) to estimate the amount of packaging waste generated. 

In cases where composite packaging is composed of a predominate material constituting more than 95%, this is reported under the predominant material. On the other hand, in cases two material account to more than 5% of the composite packaging, these are reported under the respective materials.

Additional information about the methodology, including the combination of methods used:

The same methodology is applied to all packaging waste streams. 

Audited Annual Environmental Reports and Waste Broker Reports submitted annually by waste management facilities and waste brokers respectively include data for each waste stream exported from Malta. When the EWC code and description indicate that the shipment does not constitute as packaging, the latter is not taken into consideration for the compilation of this report. Moreover, documentation is submitted to the ERA with information on the material, its quantity and type of treatment it is to undergo.

Not applicable, Malta does not make use of surveys to determine the amount of packaging waste generated and treated. 

Not applicable, Malta does not make use of surveys to determine the amount reusable packaging. 

Calculation of recycling of metals from incinerator bottom ash : Detailed description of the method to collect data in order to calculate the amount of metals separated from incineration bottom ash in accordance with the Commission Implementing Act adopted in accordance with Article 37(7) of Directive 2008/98/EC.

Data submitted by economic operators follow a verification process by the ERA. Cross-checks amongst various datasets are carried out to ensure that entries of packaging waste only are taken into account and to eliminate double-counting. This ensures that non packaging waste is not taken into account for the calculation of the amount recycled and that the reported data is accurate and reliable. 

Producers Responsibility Organisations and self-compliant producers placing packaging or packaging material on the national market are obliged to use the service of an Auditor, approved by ERA, to certify that all the information reported is in conformity with the obligations set in the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations (S.L.549.43). Producers shall ensure that a sound auditing procedure for traceability, monitoring and control is put into place.

Furthermore, prior to the actual shipments of non-hazardous waste, the notifier is required to submit to ERA, relevant documents (Annex VII), relevant processing fees and loading information amongst; waste type, detail of waste broker, date of loading, address of loading, container number and terminal of dispatch. ERA inspects the information provided including the material to be exported to check whether the documentation and loading are in-line with the requirements. If additional data/ information is required on any particular shipment, the exporter will be requested to provide such information/ documentation.                                                                                                                                                    

The data sources taken into consideration prior to exporting any shipment of waste are the following; - Document Annex VII on exports pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 on shipments of waste, confirming that shipment is considered not to pose any environmental risk when subject to transboundary movements and recovery in countries of import,

• Relevant processing fees and,
• Loading information including, waste type, detail of waste broker, data of loading, address of loading, container number and terminal of dispatch.

Furthermore, ERA inspects the information provided including the material to be exported to check whether the documentation and loading are in-line with the requirements. Export data is gathered through Annex VII, however if additional data/ information is required on any particular shipment, the exporter will be requested to provide such information/ documentation. 

The columns in the table relate to information on verification procedures used within the national statistical reporting system to validate the accuracy of the data.

The columns in the table relate to information on verification procedures used within the national statistical reporting system to validate the accuracy of the data.

The reported data are compiled by the ERA using data reported in the annual environmental reports submitted by the relevant economic operators in particular PROs, self-compliant producers, waste management facilities and waste brokers. 

Primary sources and their shares in the total.

(*) Necessity of a certain minimum amount of waste, turnover etc. to be registered 

Not applicable, since Malta uses the put on the market based on EPR approach (Approach 1) to estimate the amount of packaging waste generated. 

Not applicable, since Malta uses the put on the market based on EPR approach (Approach 1) to estimate the amount of packaging waste generated. 

The methodology applied is based on two variables:

1. The register of producers considering those producers for which data on packaging and packaging material placing on the national market is available for the years 2015 till 2021 held by ERA; and
2. Amount of packaging from free riders, e-commerce and possible under declarations are estimated by determining the potential increase in generation of packaging waste within the municipal waste stream for the reference year when compared with previous reference years. An algorithm is carried out for each packaging waste stream, seeking grossing-up factors for the corresponding packaging material as declared by producers who register with the ERA for the reference year (refer to point 1).

All export entries follow a verification process. Cross-checks amongst various datasets are carried out to consider packaging entries only and to eliminate double-counting. This ensures that non packaging waste is not taken into account for the calculation of the amount recycled. Having said so, for plastic packaging waste, Malta requested actual recycling rates from recycling facilities abroad, since no recycling facilities are operational in Malta. These recycling rates were then applied to determine the amount of plastic packaging waste recycled. Where such certificates were not available, Malta applied the EU average recycling rate for plastic packaging.

Not applicable, no compostable packaging recovered at biowaste treatment plants was recorded during the reference year.

Upon export the waste operator is required to indicate the amount of each waste material exported to the recycling facility.

Description of the sorted packaging waste to which ALRs are applied, types of sorting plants to which different ALRs apply, the methodological approach to calculating ALRs at such point(s), including the statistical accuracy of any surveys used, or the nature of any technical specifications.

Not applicable for this reference year.

Not applicable, since Malta uses the put on the market based on EPR approach (Approach 1) to estimate the amount of packaging waste generated. 

Description, where applicable, of the methodology to exclude non-packaging waste from the reported amount of recycled packaging waste and of the methodology to correct the amount of packaging waste at the measurement point in order to reflect the natural humidity rate of packaging (including by using relevant European standards). Aggregated data across facilities of a similar type is acceptable.

Description of the methodology to exclude waste originating from other countries, where applicable. Aggregated data across facilities of a similar type is acceptable.

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