The Private Sector has instituted a self-imposed cess on plastic bottles in a bid to generate funds to help with setting up of a refund scheme.

The cess of $1 per bottle became effective on February 1.

Environment Minister Daryl Vaz gave an update on the matter in parliament this afternoon (Feb 5).

Its intended that in the initial year, the cess will generate $850 m that will be used to build out the necessary infrastructure and network system to support the refund scheme.

The initiative will also aim to improve collection of plastic bottles to 85 % within the next 4 years.

He stated that manufacturers will create special labels for bottles that will be easily identifiable, as being part of the refund scheme.