QUIT PUSSYFOOTING ON RECYCLING BONANZA

Thursday, 17 September 2009

In the latest inquiry the Australian Senate has reported this afternoon that federal and state environment ministers should advance analysis of container deposits schemes ‘without delay’.

“A container deposit system (CDS) will collect 11 billion containers a year,” said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre. “It will underwrite thousands of new convenient waste collection centers, not only for beverage containers but also problem products like batteries and electronic waste.

“CD will also deliver well over 3,000 new jobs; $500million of new economic activity each year; and a surplus of $50million to invest in waste reprocessing to help cut our greenhouse footprint by well over 1million tones.”

Dave West, National Campaign Director of the Boomerang Alliance, called on government to stop pussyfooting and get on with one of the most important recycling decisions in decades.

“The public has been waiting ten years for action. Poll after poll shows that the community demands a container deposit scheme. It’s time for government to stop listening to the beverage industry which thrusts one way containers onto the community as well as massively increasing waste dumping,” said Mr West.

“On 6 November every Commonwealth, state and territory environment minister will be meeting in Perth to decide on container deposits. It’s time for environment ministers, in particular from NSW and Victoria, to stop passing the buck.”

Previous CD reports to government are – Independent review of container deposits legislation in NSW (2001); Stakeholder Advisory Group on Best Practice CDS for Western Australia (2007); Feasibility of a CDS for Tasmania (2009); Senate Inquiry into the Management of Australia's Waste Streams (2008); Senate Inquiry into Environment Protection (Beverage Container Deposit and Recovery Scheme) Bill (2009).