AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES DEMAND CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME

Friday, 15 May 2009 20:13

“Environment Ministers meet next Friday May 22nd in Hobart to make a decision on whether to introduce container deposits. It’s time to act,” said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre.

“Such a scheme will recover over 11 billion containers each year, reduce litter, increase recycling and create hundreds of jobs and new financial support for local government kerbside operations.

“The roll out of a container deposits system will be an investment in 21st century green infrastructure that will serve the community and the environment for decades to come.”

Mr Angel urged Ministers to ignore the opposition coming from the supermarkets and beverage companies like Coca Cola.  

“The companies don’t have the facts and are misrepresenting information,” he said.

“For example they are claiming a massive impost on consumers through higher prices.  But if you return the container to claim the deposit back, you pay virtually nothing.  

“The many container deposit systems overseas and in South Australia show a participation rate of about 80%, so obviously most people won’t face higher prices,” Mr Angel said.