Local councils back refund scheme for drink bottles, cans
May 17, 2009
Far North Coast shire councils have joined the Local Government and Shires Associations and Clean Up Australia in calling for the urgent introduction a refund scheme for drink bottles and cans.
Ministers for the Environment Protection and Heritage Council will meet on 22 May to consider programs to address packaging waste.
Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham believes that it is essential for Byron Shire Council’s environmental and financial future that they seriously consider a refund scheme or Container Deposit Legislation (CDL).
Her comments have been supported by Ballina Shire Mayor Phillip Silver.
“Byron Shire Council resolved back in 1998 to support the introduction of Container Deposit Legislation,” Mayor Barham said.
“The Shire currently collects over 4000 tonnes each year in kerbside recycling for plastic containers, glass, paper and metal.
“It’s expensive to operate and costs each household in our community around $50 every year to cover the costs.
“A container deposit program would ensure that the cost of collecting and recycling these containers are met by the producers and consumers, not just ratepayers.
“The revenue from the deposits could not only support household recycling services, but could also provide funds for dealing with litter in public areas.
“The current arrangement relies on the National Packaging Covenant, which is based on councils and their communities carrying the cost of collecting transporting and processing recyclable material.
“We strongly urge the State Government to introduce a container deposit/refund system, which means that every container is worth 10 cents in the recycling process – effectively paying for itself.
“It is time the producers of these containers took more responsibility for the costs associated with cleaning up the litter they create while they generate their profits, and this system would do that.”
Cr Silver also says that it is essential for Ballina Shire’s environmental and financial future that they seriously consider Container Deposit Legislation (CDL).
“The current arrangement relies on the National Packaging Covenant, which is based on councils and their communities carrying the cost of collecting, transporting and processing recyclable material,” he said.
“Given today’s economic climate, these containers are effectively worthless, which means that each household in this community has to put in around $50 every year from their rates to cover the costs.
“We strongly urge the State Government to introduce a container deposit or refund system.
“It is time the producers of these containers took more responsibility for the costs associated with cleaning up the litter they create while they generate their profits, and this system would do that.
“They’re getting a free ride on the back of our community and organisations like Clean Up Australia and this has to stop now.”
Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan AO said a national container deposit scheme like the one in place in South Australia is definitely the way forward for Australia on recycling.
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