'Biggest single anti-litter initiative': Recycling scheme in NSW addresses drink container glut

Source: www.abc.com

A new recycling scheme in New South Wales has been hailed by the State Government as the biggest anti-litter initiative in the state’s history. Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton announced new details of the container deposit scheme, due to begin on December 1. “We’re talking about millions of drink containers that litter our streets at the moment, our community will have more opportunity now to do the right thing, to have it be an easy way to do the right thing.” “It’s going to be easy, accessible and most importantly, it’s going to be great for our environment. This is the biggest single litter initiative in the history of New South Wales.” More than 800 reverse vending machines will be rolled out across the state, providing customers with a 10 cent refund in exchange for bottles and cans. Most empty 150 millilitre to 3 litre beverage containers will be eligible for a refund, which will be provided in the form of a retail voucher or can be donated to local charities or community groups. If customers prefer cash, they can take the containers to one of 500 collection points instead. President of the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club, Mark Doepel, welcomed the inclusion of community groups in the program.  “Every little bit counts when you’re trying to run a surf club so we’ll take 10 cents, we’ll take $10, it’ll be just fantastic,” he said. The scheme has bipartisan support, however the NSW Opposition questioned why the Government would not go a step further and ban plastic bags as well. Calls for a state or national ban intensified following Coles and Woolworths’ decision to phase out single use bags from mid next year.  A meeting of state and territory leaders in Melbourne yesterday failed to reach an outcome.  Labor supports it, the community supports it, Woolworths and Coles and other corporates support it. We’re ready for this, we just don’t understand why they just won’t act.” Ms Upton would not be drawn on the issue. “We welcome the move by national retailers in the last number of weeks but this government is focused on the launch and the successful rollout of the container deposit scheme,” she said. “Make no mistake, the single biggest litter item are drink containers in our litter across NSW.”