Malta (MT)
Malta is a small EU island nation in the central Mediterranean — the smallest EU member state by area — celebrated for its extraordinary concentration of history (the Knights of St John, ancient megalithic temples older than Stonehenge), warm climate of 300+ sunshine days per year, English as a co-official language making it uniquely accessible for anglophone expats, a thriving iGaming and fintech sector, and a strategic location halfway between Europe and North Africa.
Recycling & Waste in Malta
Bin system, bottle deposits, special disposal, and common mistakes.
Malta has one of the lowest recycling rates in the EU, though significant progress has been made in recent years under EU pressure and WasteServ Malta's environmental initiatives. The primary household waste system uses two bins: a grey bin for general (residual) waste, and a green bin for dry recyclables (paper, plastics, glass, metals together). Malta does not use the multi-bin colour-coded system common in Germany or Scandinavian countries. WasteServ Malta (wasteserv.com.mt) manages the island's waste infrastructure, including two civic amenity centres (bring-in sites) for bulky, hazardous, and special waste. EU targets are pushing Malta to dramatically improve recycling rates over the coming years.
The Bin System
General Waste Bin
GreySkart Ġenerali (Grey bin)
- ✓Non-recyclable household waste
- ✓Food waste (in biodegradable bags)
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper and cardboard
- ✓Personal hygiene items
- ✓Small broken items not otherwise categorised
- ✗Recyclable paper, plastic, glass, metal
- ✗Electronic items (WEEE)
- ✗Batteries
- ✗Hazardous chemicals
- ✗Garden waste (in excess)
Dry Recyclables Bin
GreenSkart Riċiklabbli (Green bin)
- ✓Paper and cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers (rinsed)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (rinsed)
- ✓Metal cans and tins (rinsed)
- ✓Aluminium foil and trays
- ✓Plastic packaging and wrappers
- ✓Cardboard tubes
- ✓Magazines, newspapers, brochures
- ✗Food-contaminated items (rinse before recycling)
- ✗Plastic bags (take to supermarket collection points)
- ✗Nappies
- ✗Electrical items
- ✗Pyrex / heat-resistant glass
Organic / Food Waste Collection
Brown / varies by localitySkart Organiku (Brown or dedicated organic bin)
- ✓Food scraps (cooked and raw)
- ✓Fruit and vegetable peelings
- ✓Tea bags, coffee grounds
- ✓Eggshells
- ✓Garden organic waste (leaves, grass clippings)
- ✗Meat and fish (in some collection schemes — check your local council)
- ✗Plastic bags (use biodegradable liner only)
- ✗Liquids
Beverage Container Refund Scheme (BCRS Malta) — launched November 2022 — Bottle Deposit System
Malta launched its national Beverage Container Refund Scheme (BCRS Malta) on 14 November 2022, making it the first Mediterranean country to operate an EU-style DRS. The scheme is operated by BCRS Malta Ltd. It covers single-use aluminium/steel cans, glass bottles, and PET plastic bottles between 100mL and 3L. Exclusions: dairy products, juices, wine, and alcoholic spirits above 5% ABV. A flat €0.10 deposit is included in the purchase price and refunded when you return the empty container to an RVM or collection point.
€0.10 per eligible container (flat rate — aluminium/steel cans, glass bottles, and PET plastic bottles, 100mL–3L).
Return to reverse vending machines (RVMs) at major supermarkets (LIDL, Welbee's, PO, and others) or authorised manual collection points. The machine prints a receipt/voucher redeemable at the supermarket checkout. Check bcrsmalta.com for RVM locations and registered collection points.
Special Disposal
WasteServ Civic Amenity Centres (Marsaskala and Sant'Antnin). Many electronics retailers accept WEEE on a one-for-one exchange basis. Major supermarkets have small WEEE collection points for batteries and small electronics.
Never put WEEE in regular bins. Fines apply for illegal dumping. Many large appliance retailers will collect your old appliance when delivering a new one.
Battery collection boxes at supermarkets, electronics shops, pharmacies, and the WasteServ Civic Amenity Centres. Do not dispose of batteries in general waste.
All types of household batteries (AA, AAA, 9V, button cells, rechargeable) must be separately recycled. Car batteries: returned to motor factors or WasteServ.
WasteServ Civic Amenity Centres (bring yourself) or arrange a collection through your local council. Some councils operate collection schedules for bulky items — check your local council website.
Do not leave bulky items in the street — illegal dumping fines up to €700. WasteServ Civic Amenity Centres at Marsaskala and Sant'Antnin accept bulky items for free.
WasteServ Civic Amenity Centres accept household hazardous waste. Never pour chemicals down drains or into general bins.
Store hazardous waste in original containers until you can take it to the civic amenity centre.
Return to any pharmacy (spiżerija). Pharmacies are obligated to accept returned medicines. Never flush medicines down the toilet.
Medicines contain active compounds that persist in water — proper disposal at pharmacies is important for Malta's water supply (limited as it is).
WasteServ Civic Amenity Centres. Some local councils arrange garden waste collections in spring.
Garden waste can be composted at home if you have space. Malta's hot, dry climate makes composting faster than in northern Europe.
Petrol stations, motor factors, and WasteServ. Never pour used engine oil down drains.
Motor oil is a significant pollutant — always dispose of it through proper channels.
Bulk Waste
WasteServ Malta operates two Civic Amenity Centres in Malta and one on Gozo. Hours vary — check wasteserv.com.mt for current opening hours. Bring your ID. Most household items, from furniture to WEEE, can be disposed of for free at civic amenity centres. This is the primary route for bulky item disposal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ! Mixing food waste with dry recyclables — contamination renders the whole batch non-recyclable.
- ! Not rinsing containers before recycling — even small food residues contaminate.
- ! Putting plastic bags in the green bin — plastic bags cannot be processed by Malta's sorting facilities; use supermarket collection points.
- ! Leaving bulky items outside the bins or on the street instead of taking to civic amenity centres — illegal and subject to fines.
- ! Forgetting to return Irdoss bottles and cans — small amounts per item but they add up.
- ! Not using the Irdoss scheme — many new residents are unaware of the deposit system.
Fines & Enforcement
Illegal dumping: fines up to €700 under the Waste Regulations. Failure to separate waste can result in warnings or fines from environmental wardens. WasteServ and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) enforce waste regulations.
Practical Tips
- → Check bcrsmalta.com for the latest list of RVM locations and to register for digital tracking of returns.
- → Bookmark WasteServ (wasteserv.com.mt) for waste guidance and civic amenity centre opening hours.
- → Take advantage of the free civic amenity centres when clearing out your apartment — much more convenient than trying to fit everything into bins.
- → In the summer heat, put food waste in sealed bags to reduce odour and pest attraction.
- → Malta's water scarcity means every effort to avoid water pollution (oils, chemicals) is especially important on this island.