By Andy Young
New South Wales premier Mike Baird has confirmed that the state will be introducing a container deposit scheme (CDS), which will give consumers a 10 cent refund when they return drink containers to designated sites.
The scheme will come into force in July 2017, and forms part of the state government’s plan to reduce litter by 40 per cent by 2020.
Baird said: “This is an historical day. Never before has there been an attack on litter like we are undertaking today.”
The refunds will be paid for by beverage suppliers as well as the scheme’s handling and administrative fees. Most containers from 150ml to three litres are expected to be eligible in the scheme.
Coca-Cola Amatil has been working closely with the government in a consultation process that started in December last year. Today a spokesperson for CCA told TheShout: ““CCA will continue to work with the NSW Government and other stakeholders to assist in developing a cost efficient scheme that contributes to the achievement of litter reduction.”
The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) said that while it fully supports the NSW Government’s target to reduce litter by 40 per cent, it is disappointed at the decision to go with a refund scheme. In February the AFGC put forward its plans for litter reduction with a Thirst for Good initiative, which targeted all forms of litter, not just beverage containers.
Gary Dawson, AFGC's CEO, said: “We are disappointed that the Government has chosen to adopt a refund CDS scheme, as the Thirst for Good proposal goes beyond a narrow focus on beverage containers to target all litter in order to achieve the government’s target, with modelling showing a 30 per cent reduction in litter in the first year.
“Industry has almost 40 years’ experience operating refund container deposit schemes in South Australia and the Northern Territory and we will continue to work with the Government with a view to minimise the cost impact on consumers and industry, avoid duplication of existing waste collection and disposal infrastructure where possible and ensure NSW remains an attractive place to do business.”
The NSW Minister for the Environment will now appoint a scheme co-ordinator to administer the CDS and will work on establishing the required statewide network of collection depots needed for when the scheme starts in July next year.
Well done NSW govt. Ignore that rubbish from the AFGC – they as always do not get it and only look out for the vested interest (i.e. they put profits for the bevvy industry before the environment). Hopefully this reverberates around the nation and all the other states get on board too.