Monday 13 April 2009

Remember when you could get money back by returning soft drink and beer bottles? Well here's another chance


The Total Environment Centre is alerting people to the fact that an initial decision on whether or not to pursue a national container deposits scheme will be made by Federal and State Environment Ministers on 22 May 2009.

A container deposit scheme has operated successfully for years in South Australia.

Here is what is said about it:

Container deposits are effective - Tonnage rates achieved in South
Australia for beer bottles, softdrink glass and plastic soft drink containers are far in excess of those achieved in other states ofAustralia. South Australia recovers 85% of non refillable glass soft drink bottles, compared with36% nationally. The return rate for plastic soft drink containers, (PET), is 74% whilst the national returnrate is 36%. Liquid paperboard, a recent inclusion, has a return rate of 40% increasing.
[Recyclers of South Australia Inc.]

Introducing CD has many benefits to the environment, local government and community groups because it:

  • Increases recycling rates in the state providing clean recyclate to manufacturers
  • Significantly reduces litter in our parks and streets
  • Provides 'recycling hub' infrastructure with the opportunity for more than just container recycling
  • Is compatible with local council kerbside services and makes them more economic (via unredeemed deposits and reduced collection trips)
  • Addresses 'away from home' container waste
  • Creates local jobs
  • Generates revenue for charitable and community service groups. [Total Environment Centre]

If you would like to see a dollar return on part of your recycling efforts and cleaner streets and parks in local areas, it's time to write or email your state and federal MPs asking for a national container deposit scheme to be put in place across Australia.

If you belong to a NSW community group you might like to discuss the issue and contact the Total Environment Centre at sarahve@tec.org.au about signing a group letter before 1 May 2009.

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