National Container Deposit Scheme????

Drink bottles are thrown away across the country in their millions annually and one recognised way of reducing this massive waste is through a container deposit scheme, like the one that has been in South Australia for quite a few years.

The basic idea is that a small deposit (like 10 cents) is included in the price of the drink (milk, juice, soft drink, beer, wine etc) and when the empty container is returned to a suitable location the deposit is returned to the purchaser. The containers are then recycled and this reduces a massive contribution to landfill.

In May, the Tasmanian Parliament approved that state’s support of a national container deposit scheme for Australia, and the Northern Territory has already implemented one of it’s own this year.

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Standing Council on Environment and Water is currently considering various options to reduce waste from food related packaging, including a national container deposit scheme.

Although there are loud calls for a national scheme, a group, including some of the country’s food industry representatives and some unions, are just as strongly opposed to such a scheme.

This group is calling for alternative methods to be implemented first, including an advance disposal fee, which will be run by industry as part of the Product Stewardship Forum.

The Packaging Forum is part of the Australian Food and Grocery Council and includes; the Australian Beverages Council, Australian National Retailers Association and the Packaging Council of Australia.

A study by COAG has shown that over 25 years the coast for a national container deposit scheme could be as high as A$1.76billion.

The General Manager of the Packaging Stewardship Forum, Jenny Pickles, said, “According to government research, the net cost would be up to AU$1.76 billion, which is 28 times more expensive than an industry-funded proposal that would deliver a similar reduction in litter and increased recycling rates. We don’t believe that Australian families want to be hit with yet more increases in the cost of living, as we have seen in the Northern Territory since the introduction of container deposits earlier this year.”

So, we wait to see if a national container deposit scheme is to be or not to be!!!!!!