ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS SHOULD GET CRACKING ON CONTAINER DEPOSITS

Thursday, 15 September 2011 17:20

Seventeen national and state environment groups have urged Australia’s national and state environment ministers to start planning for the introduction of a container deposit system (CDS) at their Canberra meeting tomorrow.

“We’ve had 8 years of studies and reviews and process cul-de-sacs.  There’s now enough information to show the very significant economic, environmental and community benefits of a CDS.  At most it will cost half a cent a container to reap hundreds of new drop-off centres that can take a range of recycled materials, create over 1,000 new jobs, make millions of dollars for community service groups and achieve a massive drop in litter,” said Jeff Angel, National Convenor of the Boomerang Alliance.

“We think that individual states should introduce a CDS but if there is a national agreement tomorrow then so much the better.  But it’s time to stop wasting time.  Every non-decision from a ministerial meeting means another 6 billion beverage containers thrown away each year.”

“Environment groups have also told ministers they have no confidence in the current regulatory impact statement process – the latest study into a CDS.  Some senior officials also oppose a CDS and are advising ministers.  The way it has been set up is biased and the narrow economic methodology leads to a negative view of key environmental benefits.  It’s just another way of saying no,” Mr. Angel said.