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3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 18 JUNE 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 This broad category includes restaurants, cafés, bars, food trucks, event organisers, university and hospital canteens, and food delivery services. However, they do not ap- ply to food services provided to in-patients at hospitals or care homes, which are ex- cluded from the regulations. The intention is to cover the full spectrum of commercial food services where SUPs are typically used. Dine-in ban One of the most significant provisions in the draft guidelines is a complete ban on single-use plastic containers and cups for food and beverages served for consump- tion on site. This means that no catering establishment will be allowed to serve food or drinks in SUP packaging to customers dining on the premises. Instead, they must use reusable alternatives such as glassware, metal, or durable food-grade plastic con- tainers that can be cleaned and reused mul- tiple times. The draft guidelines clearly state that no single-use plastic food containers or bev- erage cups may be used for dine-in service. Takeaway containers: mandatory charging For takeaway food and beverages, the guidelines require catering establishments to charge customers for all single-use plas- tic containers and cups. This applies whether the container is filled at the point of sale or provided emp- ty—for example, when customers request extra containers for leftovers or additional portions. The fee for SUP takeaway items must be clearly itemised on fiscal receipts and may not be hidden or bundled with the general price of food or drinks. Establishments must also inform cus- tomers of these charges at the point of sale, using clear signage in both Maltese and English. This transparency is intended to encourage consumers to shift towards re- usable alternatives and reduce SUP con- sumption. Materials subject to charges The draft guidelines specify which ma- terials are subject to mandatory charges. These include plastic containers and cups made wholly or partially of plastic, paper or cardboard containers and cups with plastic linings or coatings, and food containers and cups made of bioplastics such as polylactic acid (PLA), which, although plant-based, are chemically processed and degrade very slowly. However, single-use materials without plastic coatings or linings—such as plain cardboard or aluminium—are exempt from charges and may still be provided to customers free of charge. Bioplastics are treated in the same way as conventional single-use plastics due to their environmental impact and must therefore be charged accordingly. Customer information and incentives Catering establishments will be required to inform customers about the SUP charge and promote reusable alternatives. Clear posters or signage in both Maltese and Eng- lish must be displayed, detailing the charges for SUP takeaway containers and cups, the availability of reusable alternatives, and any incentives offered for bringing personal re- usable containers or cups. Such incentives may include discounts, loyalty points, or other benefits designed to encourage sustainable behaviour. The guidelines aim to foster a culture of reuse and reduce reliance on disposable packag- ing. Accepting reusable containers The guidelines endorse a 'Bring Your Own Container (BYOC)' initiative, allowing cus- tomers to bring their own reusable contain- ers to catering establishments—subject to strict hygiene and safety protocols. Staff must wash their hands and wear gloves before handling any reusable con- tainers. Customers are required to place their containers on designated hygiene trays to avoid cross-contamination. Acceptable containers include those made of plastic, glass, or metal, provided they meet the food-grade standards defined under European Commission Regulation EC 1935/2006. Containers must be clean, durable, and free from damage such as cracks, chips, stains, strong odours, mould, or mildew. Lids must be removed by the customer before filling. If contamination is visible, the establish- ment should refuse to fill the container and instead provide a clean, uncontaminated one for takeaway. Containers must have smooth, easily cleaned surfaces and be ap- propriately sized to prevent spillage. Larger containers may require staff ap- proval to ensure safe handling, while very small containers may result in smaller por- tion sizes, subject to the customer's agree- ment. Banned materials Certain materials are already banned in Malta and may not be used or distributed. Expanded polystyrene (commonly referred to locally as jablo) and oxo-degradable food containers and cups have been prohibited since January 2021. Catering establish- ments must comply with this ban and en- sure they do not offer or supply these items. Ban proposed on single-use plastics for dine-in Cardboard boxes will carry no charge since the proposed payment will be only for take-away containers that contain plastic

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