PLASTIC STRAWS
Minister looking into amending free milk scheme after uproar
Environment Minister Jose Herrera is looking into amending the free milk scheme following the uproar it received last week upon when launched, due to the presence of single-use plastics.
Yesterday, this newsroom asked Herrera whether he was considering amending the scheme, which is co-financed by the European Union, after several calls to do so.
“I am currently seeing if I can amend it without breaking the tender regulations and EU funding conditions,” he said, insisting that he was “working on it.” He also pointed out that the tender for the scheme had been issued before the EU single-use plastic ban.
Parents’ association suggests distributing large milk cartons and reusable cups from home
A rethink and reintroduction of a more environmentally friendly nature is being called for following the launch of this scheme and the fruit and vegetable scheme, which has also received negative feedback.
The main factor which has caused commotion is the use of single-use plastics; plastic straws for each 250ml milk carton, and plastic food containers to package the fruit and vegetables.
The Maltese Association of Parents of Students in State Schools (MAPSSS) has said that they “welcome the reintroduction of the Milk, Fruit and Vegetable Scheme in Maltese Schools.” The scheme, co-financed by the European Union, took off last week, only to receive a wave of criticism.
The tender for the scheme would have distributed a total of 1,100,000 plastic straws, 1,100,000 milk cartons and 1,110,000 plastic containers, according to the association.
“Rather than having milk from large cartons distributed in reusable cups the kids get from home, the new system gives a small milk carton to each child, which also includes a single-use plastic straw.”
“This is happening at a time when the EU is moving towards a ban of single-use plastics,” said the association, adding that any fresh fruit distributed to kids “should be local seasonal produce which should not be packed in single-use plastic containers.”
By last Friday, more than a dozen state schools had announced that they would be ditching the straw until the scheme was reorganised, after Għargħur Primary took a proactive stance by ditching plastic straws and starting to use reusable cups last Wednesday.
Last week, Benna told Lovin’ Malta that the free milk scheme was a public tender issued by the government, and not by the local milk company itself.
“The tender had specifications for a 250ml carton with an individual straw distributed to each and every student, and we are following the details of this tender,” a spokesperson for Benna said, adding that if the government stipulates then they can change the scheme.