Container deposit scheme gathers momentum

A national Newspoll has demonstrated continued massive community support for government action to introduce a 10-cent deposit and refund scheme on cans and bottles, with 82% overall in favour, and 80% in NSW.

“The telephone survey of 1,212 people taken over 27-29 July 2012, should give state and national environment ministers, who are meeting on 24 August, the confidence to act. These figures also demonstrate that this kind of practical action to protect the environment is supported by all age, sex and socio-economic groups. Such a large result nationally and in five key states, would, we suggest, also indicate strong support from across the political spectrum,” said Jeff Angel, National Convenor, Boomerang Alliance.

“Ministers should feel buoyed by these figures, given it was undertaken during the Food and Grocery Council’s tax and fear campaign. The industry alternative of simply more bins in the street will not work and the community will not accept this weak approach.

“Importantly, also for Ministers is the fact that as evidenced by the South Australian results in this Newspoll, once implemented the popularity of deposit refund schemes skyrockets to a whopping 98%, which is a huge endorsement of the sustainability of this approach”, he said.

“The South Australian results demonstrate that once settled in, the deposit scheme becomes a valued part of daily life and consumers actively support it.”

“The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has in the last few months spent millions on a misleading advertising campaign warning of a new drink container ‘tax’ but the community can see through this – a deposit is not a tax and an efficient national scheme will cost those consumers who recycle nothing”, said Angel.

DETAILED RESULTS FOR Q1

Thinking now about recycling and litter. South Australia currently has a deposit and refund scheme, where 10 cents is added to the cost of bottled and caned drinks. The 10 cents is refunded when people return empty bottles and cans to recycling collection points mostly located at major shopping centres. It’s been suggested the government should introduce a similar scheme around Australia to encourage recycling and reduce litter. Are you personally in favour or against the government introducing this type of deposit and refund scheme for bottles and cans throughout Australia?