Packaging Industry Gets It Wrong Again
Thursday, 03 July 2008 21:24
In a paper submitted to the hearings into Australia’s waste problem by the Senate Environment Committee, it was revealed industry claims that the best recycling Eurpoean countries did not have a container deposit scheme – were false.
“The fact is that all of the top six countries have deposit systems, producing the best practice recycling. This is a clear guide to where Australia needs to go,” said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre.
The Centre will be giving evidence to the Inquiry at 12.15pm today at Level 2, 190 George St. on container deposits, the crisis in electronic waste and the future of the National Packaging Covenant.
“There has been much debate over the future path of waste in Australia, but the answers are crystal clear. The best way to minimise landfill and boost beverage container recycling rates is the introduction of a container deposit system,” stated Mr. Angel.
“Only 40.8% of containers are currently recycled at a cost of $175million p.a; a container deposit system would lift recycling rates to approximately 81% and reduce the costs of container litter, waste and recycling by $85 million p.a.”
“It’s not just a question of doing the right thing by the environment, it makes sense economically as well,” stated Mr. Angel.
“Containers are the largest single waste priority; they create nearly 8 times more waste than motor vehicle waste and 50 times more waste than plastic bags. If Australia wants to get serious about minimising waste and increasing recycling, this is the smartest and most effective way to do so.”
