Glass bottle levy scheme to be introduced in October |22 August 2018

As from October this year, a R2 levy will apply to all glass bottles imported in the country for the packaging of alcoholic beverages.

The levy will also apply to alcoholic products pre-packaged in glass bottles.

The Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change announced the new scheme earlier this year as part of its long-term strategy for more effective waste management in Seychelles.

Following consultations with importers, local manufacturers and relevant stakeholders, it has been decided that the first phase of the scheme will be implemented in October this year. This means each glass bottle imported into Seychelles, regardless of the size and whether empty or full will be billed R2 if it contains alcohol or is to be used to bottle alcoholic products.

Director general for Waste, Enforcement and Permit Nanette Laure explained the policy in a press conference yesterday stating that the ministry felt it necessary to implement the scheme on account of the increasing number of glass bottles that are discarded irresponsibly and later end up as rubbish in the environment.

“For the time being, the scheme will only apply to alcoholic beverages. While this might have an impact on some businesses, consumers will not be affected greatly,” she said.

She added that once the scheme is established, the government will make arrangements through tender process for redeem centres to be set up.

“In mid-2019, we will introduce the redeem scheme which will work like the PET bottle and can schemes currently in place. This will act as an incentive and encourage people to recycle glass bottles,” she added.

Glass bottles will be redeemable for R1 each. The money will be divided between the recycling centre and the Waste Management Fund.

Mrs Laure also revealed that the bottles collected will be used to manage waste on the landfill.

“The government will purchase glass crushing equipment to crush the recycled glass bottles. The crushed glass will be used as an alternative to coral fill to cover waste at the landfill since the coral fill at our disposition is often inadequate,” she added.

Local businesses such as Seychelles Breweries will be exempted from the levy since they have a dedicated scheme approved by the ministry. Others may also be exempted provided they approach the ministry for approval of the scheme.

The Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) will work with the ministry to monitor imports and administer the levy.