INQUIRY NEEDED INTO PACKAGING INDUSTRY BLACKMAIL

Wednesday, 08 July 2009 20:48

“We understand that KABC Qld was told it would lose tens of thousands of dollars in support if it publicly supported the introduction of a container deposit system.  An independent inquiry is needed,” said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre.

Groups such as Coca Cola and the key packaging lobby group, the Packaging Stewardship Forum run out of the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) have been vociferous opponents of container deposits.

“We have a clear understanding that this is about a direct threat to influence an environment group’s public statements and was expressed as such.  It was not as stated by the AFGC today, that a container deposit system would inevitably lead to KABC projects becoming irrelevant.  After all KABC has a wider agenda than just litter.”

 “Australia’s federal and state environment ministers are in the throes of deciding on whether to introduce a container deposit system which would massively increase collection and recycling to over 11 billion beverage containers a year and set up hundreds of local hubs that would also collect other products like used batteries and e-waste.”

“The packaging industry is already using misinformation in the public debate and now appears to have resorted to intimidation and dirty tactics.”

“The behaviour is unacceptable and there should be an independent inquiry into which group or groups acted in this manner,” Mr Angel said.

“We also wonder if this tactic is restricted to the Queensland branch.  Other branches should reveal if they have also come under pressure to keep quiet about support for container deposits in return for funding,” Mr Angel concluded.