Victoria’s 10cent container refund scheme has been operating for 6 months and the first review of its operations has been released today. "Our review acknowledges there are inevitably teething problems in the early stages, but we are very concerned about a systemic issue that has arisen which could harm consumer convenience to refund points and thus the success of the scheme.  This involves reliance on over-the-counter (OTC) return points, especially in the Northern Zone, operated by Visy.  They have a multitude of problems and consumers will be the losers,’’ said Jeff Angel, Executive Director of the Total Environment Centre, which undertook the review.

The announcement by Officeworks that it has ceased collecting used batteries on behalf of B-cycle casts serious doubt on the effectiveness of the voluntary industry program. 

Reducing pollution often involves the carrot and stick, but ongoing incidents of deliberate pollution have shown that the NSW EPA needs more stick to combat those who flout environment protection.  

New measures to protect endangered Koalas and begin delivery of conservation reserves on the western edge of Sydney by the Minns government, is a ‘’definite improvement’’, environmentalists said today.

New research released today by the Sydney Basin Koala Network shows the area where koalas are found in the Sydney Basin is declining and the areas supporting long standing breeding populations of koalas is also reducing. The need for protection is becoming ever more urgent, the Sydney Basin Koala Network and Total Environment Centre said today.  

Industry-led voluntary schemes will fail to address the environmental risks arising from battery disposal said Total Environment Centre today on releasing a plan for urgent regulation to establish an effective, mandatory Product Stewardship Scheme to safely collect and recycle all battery types in Australia.

A visionary plan to protect and expand Sydney’s green and blue spaces for present and future generations was released today, as a counterbalance to the growing population and push for denser development.

Sydney’s beautiful greenbelt and the healthiest Koala colony in NSW are at risk. The NSW Government’s announcement of $80m for south-west Sydney’s Koalas must be linked to habitat protection across the Cumberland Plain. Unless there are protected linking corridors between reserves, koalas will face extinction as urban sprawl dismembers their habitat and migratory movements and road kill grows.   

Dear Local, State and Federal MP, The Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP) covers 200,000ha framing the entire western edge of Sydney.  It could curb Sydney’s urban sprawl; protect endangered ecosystems; and help tackle killer urban heat for existing and new residents – while supplying new housing. Twenty-five national, state, and local environment groups are urging that the Plan be amended to put conservation of threatened plant and animal species securely in place before new development. You can find the statement here.  

All cars have environmental impacts. Electric cars are certainly better for the planet than fossil burners. But some electric cars are better than others. That’s why Total Environment Centre has now created the Green Electric Car Guide.

Koala habitat designated as of regional koala significance (ARKS) on the mid-north coast with the local koala population listed as a priority population for investment by the NSW Koala Strategy – is to be bulldozed under weak NSW land clearing laws

We are releasing the first review of all of Australia’s drink bottle and can 10c refund laws which assesses the performance of each state and territory and examines future challenges.  Read the full report here.  Once opposed by the beverage industry, the Container Refund Schemes (CRS) are now broadly supported and have a crucial role to play in developing Australia’s circular economy as they deliver billions of drink containers for recycling each year.  Nevertheless, all can do with some improvements. Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre, states that we should be aiming for 90+% return rates, well above the current national return rate of 65%.