Ministers move forward on container deposit legislation

Australia’s environment ministers have taken a big step towards a national container deposits system (CDS).

“In the past month Coca Cola, Lion and Schweppes via the Food and Grocery Council have tried to kill off container deposits with their ‘drink-tax-campaign’. They have failed,” said Jeff Angel, national convener of theAllianceof 22 groups.

“Ministers have faced up to the fear campaign from a small section of the beverage industry, and listened to the community. Moving to a Decision RIS and expanding the CDS options, including our best practice version, indicates that this is clearly a serious examination of CD.”

“We have no doubt that an efficient, low cost CDS system will incur no additional cost impost on the consumer above the redeemable deposit,” Mr Angel said. “It will deliver multiple benefits to a range of sectors in the economy, governments and households. And it will create a new recycling system not just for beverage containers, but also other problem materials,”

“Now we are moving to the last stage of the decision making process – the full benefits of a CDS will become apparent. The Decision Regulatory Impact Statement can now focus on the real-world financial benefits.”

Mr Angel pointed out, however, that “disappointingly,Queenslandjumped the gun before the meeting, without a proper analysis of the options. Endorsing the commercial venue bin part of the National Bin Network will only lead to a minor increase to container recycling, compared to a CDS. It also appears to lock in a program that will see local government rates rise to cover servicing of litter bins.

“It’s ridiculous for a minister to back a plan that claims it can empty 30,000 rubbish bins for no cost to households,” said Angel.

“We repeat our call on Coca Cola, Lion and Schweppes to immediately inject their millions of dollars of unredeemed deposits, unused handling fees and material sales from the NT CDS, so that NT beverage prices are significantly reduced.”

Members of the alliance are: Australian Conservation Foundation • Arid Lands Environment Centre • Clean Up Australia • Conservation Council of South Australia • Conservation Council of Western Australia • Environment Centre of the Northern Territory • Environment Tasmania • Environment Victoria • Friends of the Earth • Greenpeace Australia Pacific • Local Government & Shires Association of NSW • NSW Nature Conservation Council • Queensland Conservation Council • ACT Environment Council • Mineral Policy Institute • Tasmanian Conservation Trust • Total Environment Centre • Two Hands Project • Surfrider •Take3 •Tangaroa Blue Foundation • Project Aware.